ICRT

Posted on 2026-07-15 19:12:13

China's Taiwan Affairs Office is rejecting reports that Taiwanese nationals
have gone missing in China, calling them "fake news".

The denial comes after the Mainland Affairs Council said 10 Taiwanese
citizens have gone missing or had their personal freedom restricted in China
during the first nine days of this month.

According to the M-A-C, a total of 385 Taiwanese nationals have gone missing,
been detained or had their personal freedom restricted in China since 2024.

The council says it is investigating the latest cases and has upgraded its
travel alert for Hong Kong and Macau to orange, advising Taiwanese citizens
to be aware of safety risks when traveling to China.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office says the number of Taiwanese people visiting
China has continued to increase since 2024.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-15 19:12:13

A U.S. citizen who teaches at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University has
been arrested after allegedly stabbing a relative to death in Hsinchu.

Police say the 43-year-old suspect attacked the owner of a musical instrument
store on Sanmin Road Tuesday afternoon.

Officers found the victim lying in a pool of blood and the suspect still
holding a knife.

Police say he refused to surrender and repeatedly confronted officers.

They fired four shots, hitting him in the leg, before taking him into custody.

Ten people, including four children, were trapped inside the store during the
incident.

The victim was later pronounced dead.

Police are investigating the motive and circumstances of the killing.

The university says it will cooperate with the investigation.

(CNA-PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 19:12:13

A new market survey by FundRich Securities shows fund managers in Taiwan
remain cautiously optimistic about investment opportunities in the second
half of 2026.

Technology was the top investment pick among the eight fund companies
surveyed, followed by Taiwan equities, U-S equities and Asia-Pacific stocks.

Fund managers say AI has moved beyond the infrastructure buildout phase and
into a stage of commercial returns, benefiting semiconductor, server and
cloud computing companies.

The survey also found positive sentiment toward investment-grade bonds, with
fund managers saying they can provide stable income and help cushion against
geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

FundRich also advises investors to diversify rather than concentrate too
heavily in any single asset class.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-15 19:12:13

Clouded Leopard armored vehicles rolled through the streets of Taipei earlier
today as part of Taiwan's Joint Defense Exercises, which run through Friday.

The vehicles traveled from the Presidential Office area to the Ministry of
National Defense's Bo'ai Camp in the Dazhi neighborhood.

The drills simulate Chinese forces entering Taiwan's territorial waters and
test the military's ability to prepare forces, assemble units by operational
sectors and conduct mobile deployments under a decentralized command
structure.

The exercises are designed to improve troops' familiarity with their missions
and help ensure the security of critical infrastructure and key military
facilities in the Taipei garrison area.

Posted on 2026-07-15 18:25:13

The Central Union Oil contamination case has now affected more than 1,000
downstream businesses across Taiwan.

The Food and Drug Administration says five batches of cooking oil from the
company containing excessive levels of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene have
been traced to the affected businesses.

Officials say more than 1,661 metric tons of the contaminated oil have been
removed from the market.

Another 6,020 metric tons of oil from other batches produced between April
and June have been precautionarily removed while testing continues.

The affected businesses include well-known restaurant chains, hotels and food
manufacturers, including TTFB Restaurant Group, Dim Dim Sum, Regent Taipei,
and others.

The FDA says it is continuing to investigate whether the contamination was
caused by raw materials, manufacturing processes or both.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-15 18:25:13

The Directorate-General of Personnel Administration says nearly all civil
servants have signed declarations stating they do not hold Chinese household
registration or identity documents.

The figures were released after lawmakers questioned the government's policy
requiring the declarations.

Officials say 99.8 percent — more than 620 thousand civil servants — have
signed, while 95 people had not done so as of May.

The agency says no disciplinary or adverse action has been taken against
those individuals.

Beginning this year, the declaration requirement has become a standard
procedure for newly appointed and transferred civil servants, with officials
reporting full compliance so far.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-15 18:25:13

straight year

Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital was Taiwan's most profitable hospital in
2024, marking its ninth consecutive year at the top.

According to the National Health Insurance Administration, the hospital
posted a surplus of over 3.72 billion NT that year, although profits declined
from the previous year due to lower dividend income.

Officials say much of Linkou Chang Gung's earnings came from non-medical
income, including dividends from affiliated investments.

When looking only at medical operations, China Medical University Hospital
ranked first, posting an operating surplus of 1.78 billion NT for an eleventh
consecutive year.

Overall, about 90 percent of Taiwan's hospitals reported surpluses, while
roughly three-quarters made money from their core medical operations.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-15 15:34:13

work together

Premier Zhuo Rong Tai says, central and local governments should work
together to confront the Central Union Oils contamination scandal.

That's as Zhuo faces mounting criticism over the central government's
handling of the issue.

Zhuo today thanked deputy Legislative Speaker Chiang Chi-chen for yesterday
allowing him to time and opportunity to report on the handling of the issue.

He also thanked Taichung Mayor Lu Xiu Yan for reporting the issue on June
30th...

before the Ministry of Health and Welfare took action the following day to
order Central Union to stop production and remove products from the shelves.

Zhuo said, cooperation between central and local governments is the only way
to ensure food safety for the public.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lu criticized the central government for what she called a
spotty response, saying they failed to disclose information to the public in
a timely manner.

Lu further suggested that the central government should not only investigate
the cause of the incident, but also should apologize, and those responsible
should resign.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-15 15:34:13

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the government's decision to raise the
permitted level of pesticide residue on apples was not linked to a trade
agreement with the United States.

The revised limit for the pesticide fipronil is 3 parts per million.

That compares with 5 parts per million in the United States, 3 in South Korea
and 2 in Japan.

Shih says Taiwan did not simply adopt the U.S. standard.

He says the change was based on scientific evidence, expert review and
domestic demand.

An application to establish a separate fipronil limit for apples was first
submitted in 2022.

The proposal was announced in January and formally adopted in April as part
of revisions covering 174 agricultural products.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 15:34:13

DPP Lawmaker and Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen is downplaying concerns
for his safety ahead of a trip overseas...

as China has initiated a criminal investigation into Shen for what they call
"separatism."

That, on top of the recent attack on Japanese-Taiwanese political commentator
Akio Yaita in Taichung...

which the DPP believes to be an instance of cross-border repression.

Shen says, he's not too concerned about the risks of traveling to the US,
adding that he "will speak every word that ought to be spoken."

The remarks come after Shen and his campaign office announced next week's
trip to the US.

Responding to media questions after the announcement, Shen said that the more
China sought to prevent Taiwan from participating in the international
sphere, the more Taiwan would strengthen its international outreach.

Shen added that the attack on Yaita and past actions targeting Vice President
Hsiao Bi-khim while abroad did not lead either of them to be any less
outspoken.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-15 15:19:13

Three Air Force personnel have been sentenced to between two and
eight-and-a-half years in prison in a Chinese espionage case.

Prosecutors say an illegal lender surnamed Huang targeted military personnel
in financial trouble and offered money or debt relief in exchange for
classified information.

One Air Force captain received eight-and-a-half years for leaking military
documents.

A staff sergeant was sentenced to eight years for providing military and
official secrets, while another received two years for accessing classified
records for people linked to China.

Huang remains at large.

His sister received prison terms of up to 10 months for helping conceal
payments and conduct underground money transfers.

The rulings can still be appealed.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 15:19:13

Taipei Zoo has welcomed six African penguin chicks after successfully
incubating their eggs.

The chicks were born to four breeding pairs between mid-May and late June.

Keepers are raising them by hand in a nursery area inside the penguin house.

They are weighed and checked several times a day, and fed either pieces of
fish or mashed fish depending on their size.

The chicks will gradually join the zoo's larger penguin colony after they
develop swimming feathers and pass health and feeding checks.

Visitors may be able to see them during extended Saturday evening hours this
summer.

African penguins are classified as endangered, and the zoo says its breeding
program helps maintain population numbers and genetic diversity.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 14:09:13

DPP Lawmaker and Taipei Mayoral Candidate Puma Shen will be heading to the US
next week.

That's according to an announcement from Shen and his campaign manager and
colleague, Wu Si Yao, today.

Shen and his delegation including Legislative Caucus Whip Cai Qi Chang and
lawmaker and chair of the Taiwan-US Legislative Friendship Association Wang
Ding Yu will visit Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New York from July 20th to
28th.

Wu said at a press conference this morning that the trip would aim to provide
support to overseas Taiwanese communities and promote the "limitless city"
concept.

The "limitless city" concept refers to Shen's alternative to the Twin Cities
Forum, aimed at establishing relationships with more cities in democratic
countries.

Wu emphasized that the campaign office has received invitations from overseas
communities requesting help in establishing support associations.

In addition to working with local support associations, Shen is also expected
to give a speech to the Washington DC chapter of the Taiwanese Association of
America.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-15 14:09:13

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che has visited the Osaka City Council to promote
closer exchanges between the two cities.

Huang met with council Speaker Shu Umezono and the head of its Japan-Taiwan
friendship alliance, Junko Tsuji.

They discussed tourism, culture, local products and student exchanges.

Huang invited Osaka students to visit Tainan and explore historic sites and
buildings connected to Taiwan-Japan relations.

Tsuji, who has visited the city several times, praised Tainan's pineapples
and said she had fond memories of its museums and other attractions.

The Tainan and Osaka city councils are also discussing a possible formal
partnership.

Huang invited both council members to visit Tainan and experience the city's
culture and attractions.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 14:09:13

A French man has been detained after allegedly trying to smuggle more than
100 heroin capsules into Taiwan inside his body.

Police stopped the man after he arrived at Taoyuan airport from Thailand on
July 7.

An X-ray showed numerous foreign objects in his digestive tract.

The suspect took five days to pass 101 capsules containing about 1.4
kilograms of heroin.

Prosecutors estimate the drugs were worth more than 20-million N.T. dollars.

Police say the man claimed he accepted the job because he needed money for
medical treatment and was promised about 3-thousand U.S. dollars.

A court has approved his detention while authorities continue investigating
the trafficking group.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 14:09:13

Taiwan shares are up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 893 points to
close the session at 45631.

The turnover was 984 billion NT

Posted on 2026-07-15 13:30:13

A judge is calling for closer cooperation with the United States to counter
suspected Chinese transnational repression.

Taipei District Court judge Hsu Kai-chieh (許凱傑) says law enforcement agencies
from both sides should form a joint task force.

He says they could share cases, enforcement experience and response
strategies.

Hsu also wants Taiwan to improve its reporting platform so suspected
incidents can be reported and reviewed immediately.

His comments follow the assault of Taiwan-based commentator Akio Yaita by a
Chinese national in Taichung.

Taiwanese officials have described the attack as the first transnational
repression case since China's new ethnic unity law took effect on July 1.

Hsu says Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act may not cover state-directed assault,
harassment or property damage.

The government says it is considering amendments to increase penalties for
such crimes.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 13:30:13

The government may revise its rules for removing food products from store
shelves as food safety cases become more complex.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says the current guidelines were introduced
after the 2014 cooking oil scandal, when major companies were exposed for
recycling and selling tainted waste oil as edible cooking oil.

His comments come as authorities continue investigating contaminated soybean
oil produced by Central Union Oil.

Shih says the most likely cause is the manufacturing process, including
possible temperature changes during refining.

However, experts must confirm the findings before a final report is released.

He says products removed as a precaution may return to stores once individual
batches are confirmed safe.

The Food and Drug Administration has also begun discussing whether the
current recall system can adequately address newer forms of food safety
incidents.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-15 13:30:13

The Taitung County Government is partnering with a major travel group to
launch direct charter flights to Penghu.

Officials say the new flights will fly directly from Taitung Airport, cutting
travel times down to a fraction of the usual journey.

The initiative includes four round-trip flights scheduled for September 11th,
13th, 15th, and 17th.

The flights are paired with three-day tour packages that include popular
sites like the historic Magong Old Town, and the famous volcanic basalt
columns at Daguoye.

Travelers will also be able to take boat trips to the southern islands of
Qimei and Wangan.

The county says the charter packages are open for registration starting today
through local travel agencies in Taitung.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-15 11:09:13

TaiSugar says, the precautionary removal of some products over the ongoing
Central Union Oils scandal is sure to incur losses for the company.

TaiSugar Executive Wu Ming Chang says, the company has removed 9 products
from shelves, in accordance with government regulations...

but, he says, TaiSugar will wait to observe the fallout to decide whether or
not to request compensation from Central Union.

Wu said that the company complied with government orders to remove the
products for now, but said that the company always rigorously tests oils
purchased from outside companies.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-15 11:09:13

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the Taiwan-France Cultural Association,
also known as Alliance Française de Taiwan, will move into a historic former
U.S. aid housing complex in Taipei.

Lin made the announcement at a French National Day reception on Tuesday.

He says the building on Chang'an East Road will become a new center for
French language, culture, art and food.

Lin also thanked outgoing French Representative Franck Paris for his work
over the past three years.

Paris said he had fallen deeply in love with Taiwan and would not forget the
country or its people.

Lin says Taiwan and France are expanding cooperation in semiconductors,
artificial intelligence, solid-state batteries and space technology.

He also praised France for supporting peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait.

(PB)

Posted on 2026-07-14 19:07:13

Women's groups are calling on the legislative yuan to accelerate reviews of
the Assisted Reproduction draft bill.

The NGOs emphasized the need to act quickly to protect women's rights and
allow single women and same-sex female couples to undergo assisted
reproduction.

The proposed amendments to the draft bill would also seek to separate
assisted reproduction from surrogacy.

The Legislature is set to continue the examination process of the draft on
Thursday...

after the Executive Yuan proposed it last year.

The draft legislation would legalize assisted reproduction for single and
married gay women, without addressing surrogacy, which has proven to be a
much thornier issue in terms of public opinion.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-14 18:09:14

Two opposition-led referendum proposals have passed a first reading in the
legislature.

The TPP caucus today proposed a referendum on euthanasia, which they say aims
to ensure autonomy for those suffering from chronic diseases.

Party chair Huang Kuo-chang today criticized the legislature for moving- in
his words- at a "snail's pace..."

saying it made more sense to turn the matter over to the people to decide
instead.

If the referendum makes it onto the ballot this November, voters would be
asked whether they support assisted suicide for those suffering from
unbearable pain or difficult-to-treat diseases.

Huang also said the Central Election Commission is responsible for ensuring
that elections and referendums run smoothly.

Meanwhile the KMT-proposed referendum vote would aim to abolish the
"nuclear-free homeland" policy.

It would ask voters if they agree with abolishing the policy to ensure stable
and sufficient power supply as well as reasonable electricity rates.

Both the proposals have now passed the first reading, and have been handed
over to party caucuses for further negotiation ahead of a second reading.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-14 18:09:14

A shipment of frozen mixed vegetables imported by Costco from the United
States was recently intercepted at the border after testing positive for
excessive pesticide residues.

The Food and Drug Administration said today that more than 10-thousand
kilograms of "Kirkland Signature" brand vegetables were ordered returned or
destroyed and none had entered the market.

The products affected include peas and broccoli.

As this was the importer's first failed inspection case in the past six
months, the FDA has increased border inspection sampling rates for items
imported by Costco Taiwan to 20-50 percent, up from routine random checks of
2-10 percent.

Nine other products that recently failed safety inspections include fresh
oranges from Japan and two shipments of cheese imported from France.

The shipments will also be returned or destroyed.

(CNA JL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 18:09:14

Pingtung County is promoting night tourism with a year-round "Stargazing in
pingtung" compaign.

The next event, " Venus and Leo: A Night Under the Stars, " will take place
this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Haikou (海口) Beach in Checheng (車城)
Township.

Visitors can enjoy guided stargazing, astronomy activities, and night-sky
photography while viewing Venus in the evening sky.

The county hopes to attract more visitors by combing astronomy with local
attractions and to promote dark-sky conversation through unique nighttime
travel experiences.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 18:09:14

The Michelin Guide has added 13 new Bib Gourmand eateries across Taiwan,
taking the total number of recommendations to 146.

The new additions include four restaurants in Taipei, three each in Tainan
and New Taipei City, two in Hsinchu County, and one in Taichung.

Michelin said more than 80 percent of the new entries serve Taiwanese local
cuisine or traditional Hakka specialist, highlighting the country's rich food
culture.

The Michelin Bib Gourmand is an award that recognizes restaurants offering
exceptional food at moderate prices.

Michelin's international director, Gwendal Poullennec, said Taiwan has become
one of Asia's most exciting culinary destinations thanks to its quality
cooking and openness to cultural exchange.

The full Michelin Guide Taiwan 2026 will be announced on July 21st.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 17:10:13

Under mounting pressure, Premier Chuo Rung-tai today expressed "deep regrets"
about the contaminated oil issues, saying he'll conduct "a thorough
self-review and reflection."

But he's stopped short of making apologies and denied that the Cabinet
covered up the Central Union Oil soybean oil contamination case.

The opposition parties have been demanding Chuo's resignation, saying that he
failed to respond properly and promptly to the recent food scare, leading to
anxiety among businesses and consumers.

Speaking at the Legislative Yuan, the Premier reviewed the timeline of the
case, saying the Health Ministry has taken concrete steps following Central
Union Oil's first report about the carcinogen BaP in its products on June
30th.

He also reiterated the follow-up measures going forward, including requiring
removed products to meet new safeguards before being allowed back on shelves.

Investigators will continue to look into the case as well hold the companies
involved accountable.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 17:10:13

A new report by Taiwan's think tank D-E-S-T says Taiwan has become Ukraine's
third-largest battery supplier in 2025, behind only China and Vietnam.

The Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology report
indicates that Taiwanese companies are now shipping 5 to 7 million drone
battery cells every month to Ukraine, mainly high-energy lithium batteries
designed to perform in cold weather.

The report also notes that Taiwan has reduced its reliance on Chinese battery
cells, but warms that key upstream battery materials are still heavily
dependent on china.

It recommends further diversifying supply chains to strengthen Taiwan's drone
battery industry and reduce geopolitical risks.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 15:16:14

Din Tai Fung has recalled several frozen gift sets after discovering that its
central kitchen had used soybean oil from one of the contaminated batches
linked to the Central Union Oil case.

The renowned company says its chain restaurants did not use the affected oil,
and current inventory has already been switched to a different supplier whose
products have passed safety inspections.

The recall afffects seven frozen gift set products, including buns,
dumplings, wontons, braised pork knuckle, and beef noodle soup, and their
expiration dates range from July this year to May next year.

Customers who purchased the affected products can apply for a full refund
through August 7th with proof of purchase.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 15:16:14

Typhoon Bavi-triggered torrential rain has cut off the only road leading to
three villages in Miao-li's Tai-an (泰安) Township.

The Miao-li County government says County Road 62 in Tai-an is now closed as
an estimated 1-thousand tons of rocks fell down last night.

Tai-an Fire department says it received reports at 10:50 PM saying huge
boulders had crashed onto the road near the 2.3-kilometer mark in Fu-xing
(復興) Village.

One truck was hit, luckily the driver the driver suffered only minor scrapes
and bruises.

He later called for help from a convenience store nearby.

Local officials say County Road 62 is a vital route connecting the township's
three villages and also the main access to Tai-an's popular hot spring area.

They are calling for repair work to be completed as soon as possible.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 15:16:14

The 2026 East Longitudinal Valley Festival will be held from August 20 to 23
at the Hualien Luoshan Visitor Center in Fuli Township.

With this year’s theme, “Indigenous Brewing,” the festival will bring
together more than 20 Indigenous communities from the East Longitudinal
Valley for a celebration of food, craft, and culture.

Visitors can enjoy traditional cuisine, a curated market, hands-on workshops,
and themed areas showcasing the cultures of the Amis, Bunun, Seediq, Truku,
and Puyuma peoples.

Ticketed corporate banquet events will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on August
20 and 21.

And the festival will open to the public free of charge from 3 to 8:30 p.m.
on August 22 and 23.

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

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration has announced new rules for products
removed during the Central Union Oil contamination case to return to store
shelves.

The FDA said products must meet three conditions: the source of the oil must
be verified, each batch must be confirmed individually, and upstream and
downstream records must match.

Officials emphasized that both the raw oil and the finished product must pass
safety inspections.

If any finished product fails testing, all related products made from the
same upstream oil batch will remain barred from sale.

The FDA also confirmed that five out of 29 batches produced by Central Union
Oil between April and June were found to exceed limits for the carcinogen
BaP, and the related products have all been removed from stores.

Officials say testing of 52 raw oil samples and 321 finished products
provided by the oil company is expected to be completed within a week.

(AL)

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

An environmental group is warning that plastic baby food pouches may be
exposing infants to microplastics.

Greenpeace released a survey today, finding that out of over 700 fruit purees
and yogurts it checked, nearly 80-percent used pouches with plastic spouts.

The group also points out that such pouches are made of multiple layers of
plastic and foil, and recent studies show that these materials can leak
microplastics directly into the food they contain.

Greenpeace is calling on the government to immediately investigate baby food
packaging and create risk assessment standards.

(NS)

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

A summer festival in eastern Taiwan is ready to launch after typhoon delays.

The "2026 Hualien Fun Summer" festival officially opens at Liyu Lake
tomorrow, featuring the popular Japanese anime series "One Piece."

The highlight is a 15-meter-wide installation of the "Thousand Sunny" pirate
ship on the lake.

Recreations of popular characters like Luffy and Chopper will also appear at
the Hualien train station and the Dongdamen Night market.

An opening ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm, with fire
dancing performances, water fountain light shows, and an eight-minute night
sky laser show over the water.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-14 14:08:19

Taiwan shares are down today, with the benchmark tai ex losing 642 points to
close the session at 44737.

The turnover was 1.178 trillion NT

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

The Presidential Office says, it is investigating cross-border repression,
following an attack on a Japanese-Taiwanese political commentator.

Akio Yaita, who heads the Indo-Pacific Strategic Thinktank, was attacked by a
Hong Kong national, surnamed Liao, after an event last week.

Media reports claiming that Liao may have been working with a Hong Kong gang
emerged today...

saying that he also brought five other accomplices along to Taiwan to assist
in planning the attack, with the whole process chronicled meticulously on
WhatsApp.

Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo says today that the government is
working with international partners to target cross-border crimes.

Kuo added that the government will not tolerate authoritarian interference.

(AH)

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

A delegation from Taiwan People’s Party has departed for Shanghai for a
four-day visit, marking the party’s first official exchange trip to China
since its founding.

The group, led by TPP Central Review Committee Chair Lee Wei-hua 李偉華,
includes party staff and youth members.

Lee cited party founder Ke Wen-zhe, saying that the 4 day visit aims to
promote dialogue amid growing cross-strait tensions, emphasizing the party's
position of “Taiwan autonomy and cross-strait peace.”

The delegation will visit economic and technology sites, tour historical
landmarks, and hold discussions with students at Shanghai Jiao Tong 交通
University。。。

with youth exchange serving as a key focus of the trip.

(AL)

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

The Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers in Taitung to begin recovery
efforts after Typhoon Bavi brought strong winds and hot, dry foehn winds that
damaged crops.

Officials recommend clearing fallen branches and fruits, pruning damaged
trees, and strengthening disease prevention to reduce further losses.

Farmers are also advised to increase irrigation to help crops recover from
heat and salt brought on by the storm.

The ministry says sugar apple growers should increase hand pollination to
improve fruit production...

while rice, vegetable, and betel leaf farmers are encourged to repair
irrigation systems and reinforce damaged crop supports as soon as possible.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-14 11:07:13

Major retailers and restaurant chains in Taiwan say they have completed the
precautionary removal of products linked to the expanding Central Union Oil
contamination case.

Costco Taiwan, Louisa Coffee and the TTFB Restaurant Group all say they
removed affected products after receiving government notifications and
supplier alerts.

Louisa says it removed and sealed all cooking oils and related products from
the three affected suppliers before the government deadline, regardless of
whether individual batches had tested above the legal limit.

The companies say none of the affected oil products remain in use, and that
stores and restaurants are now using products which meet food safety
standards.

The case involves cooking oils from Central Union ... found to contain
excessive levels of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene -- or BaP -- prompting
nationwide recalls and precautionary product withdrawals.

BaP is commonly found in vehicle exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-14 11:07:13

Academia Sinica has sharply raised its forecast for Taiwan's economic growth
this year to 10.16 percent, citing easing uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy
and continued investment in artificial intelligence.

The new forecast is a significant increase from the institute's previous
projection of 3.71 percent released late last year.

Researchers say the upgrade reflects Taiwan's stronger-than-expected economic
performance in the first quarter, with continued investment in AI
infrastructure helping to boost exports and overall growth.

Academia Sinica expects global investment in artificial intelligence to
remain strong in the second half of the year, supporting Taiwan's export
momentum.

Even so, the institute says economic growth is likely to moderate later this
year as the pace of expansion returns to more normal levels.

Posted on 2026-07-14 11:07:13

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is expected to focus on capital
spending and the development of its most advanced chipmaking technology when
it holds its quarterly investor conference this Thursday.

Taiwan Institute of Economic Research economist Liu Pei-chen (劉佩真) says the
chipmaker's capital expenditure could reach a record high over the next three
years ...

... when TSMC's accumulated capital spending could top 150 billion U-S
dollars.

She says TSMC is expected to continue investing heavily in its 2-nanometer
and next-generation manufacturing technologies while accelerating its
overseas expansion.

Liu also expects the company to increase spending on advanced chip packaging
as demand for artificial intelligence applications continues to drive growth.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:13

Premier Cho Jung-tai has ordered health authorities to complete all testing
linked to contaminated cooking oil produced by Central Union Oil within a
week...

...and prepare draft amendments to Taiwan's food safety laws over the same
period.

The premier says all confirmed contaminated oil has been removed from sale,
while edible oils and related products made using oil from Central Union
produced between April and June have been recalled as a precaution.

He has also instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish rules
allowing recalled products to return to store shelves only after passing
inspections by the Food and Drug Administration or accredited third-party
laboratories.

The proposed legal changes are expected to tighten oversight of food
manufacturers and strengthen food safety inspections ...

... as authorities continue investigating how cooking oil from the company
became contaminated with benzo[a]pyrene ... or BaP ...

... a cancer-causing chemical commonly found in vehicle exhaust fumes and
tobacco smoke.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:16

In related news,

Taichung health authorities have identified two more edible oil products
contaminated with excessive levels of BaP, widening the food safety scandal
surrounding Central Union Oil.

Officials say the affected products are Fwusow Peanut Flavored Blended Oil
and Fwusow Unsaturated Soybean Salad Oil, both made using oil supplied by
Central Union.

Five batches of oil from Central Union have now been found to exceed Taiwan's
legal safety limit for BaP.

Authorities say the contaminated oil was distributed to hundreds of food
businesses, and manufacturers have been ordered to continue tracing affected
products and supply chains.

Taichung has also fined Fwusow Industry six million NT for failing to
promptly report contamination involving the two products.

Prosecutors are continuing their criminal investigation into Central Union
Oil.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:21

The Food and Drug Administration has denied online claims that it relaxed
limits on pesticide residues in apples.

It’s calling the allegations false and warning that anyone spreading the
misinformation could face criminal penalties.

The claims circulated on Facebook, alleging that the allowable residue limit
for the pesticide fipronil in apples had been increased sixfold.

The agency says the recent regulatory change involved a different pesticide,
known as fenpropathrin, and not fipronil, stressing that the two are
completely different substances.

The FDA says the false claims have unnecessarily raised concerns about apple
safety and has referred the case to local authorities for investigation.

Under the Food Safety and Sanitation Act, anyone who intentionally spreads
false or misleading information about food safety can face up to three years
in prison, criminal detention or a fine of up to $1 million NT.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:23

Repairs Continue

Taiwan has fully restored water service in the wake of Typhoon Bavi.

However, more than 100 households in Hsinchu County remained without
electricity as of this morning, as blocked roads continued to hamper repair
work.

The National Communications Commission says it activated emergency disaster
roaming services Sunday night for typhoon-hit areas, with support focused on
Wufeng Township in Hsinchu County.

The service allows residents whose own provider's network is unavailable to
connect through another participating mobile network.

Officials say the typhoon damaged 170 mobile base stations nationwide, with
46 still awaiting repairs.

Recovery work is continuing, with local governments clearing roads, repairing
public facilities and assessing agricultural damage.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:24

Speaking of which ...

Agricultural losses from Typhoon Bavi have now risen to an estimated 37.7
million NT ...

... with crop damage accounting for more than 90 percent of the total.

The Ministry of Agriculture says persimmons were by far the hardest-hit crop,
making up around 40 percent of all crop losses.

Bananas, jujubes, peaches and first-season rice were also significantly
affected.

Private agricultural facilities accounted for another 3.3 million NT in
losses — the vast majority of it from farmland that was washed away or buried
by mud, mainly in New Taipei and Hsinchu County.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:27

The Kinmen Aviation Station says most travelers stranded by Typhoon Bavi have
now returned to Taiwan, after more than 300 people secured standby seats on
flights yesterday evening.

Regular flights to Taiwan and ferry services to Xiamen resumed Sunday after
two days of weather-related disruptions, but demand exceeded capacity,
leaving hundreds waiting for seats.

Officials say 333 travelers had boarded standby flights back to Taiwan by 8
PM Monday, with only several dozen passengers still waiting at Kinmen
Airport.

In addition, a planned military relief flight was canceled Monday, as poor
weather in Pingtung prevented the aircraft from taking off.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:29

Taiwanese organizations have joined dozens of overseas groups in calling on
governments around the world to reject the extraterritorial reach of China's
new Ethnic Unity Law.

The letter, coordinated by the London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch, was
signed by 54 overseas community and civil society organizations, including
groups representing Hong Kong, Uyghur, Tibetan and Taiwanese communities.

The groups say the law claims legal jurisdiction beyond China's borders and
could be used to pursue, intimidate and silence overseas communities.

They are urging governments to declare that the law has no legal effect over
foreign citizens or residents, and to strengthen protections against what
they describe as Beijing's transnational repression.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:32

In similar news,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on reiterated Taiwan's stance on the South on
the South China Sea — on the 10th anniversary of an international arbitration
ruling that rejected many of China's claims in the disputed waterway.

MOFA says Taiwan should not be excluded from efforts to resolve issues
affecting its rights and interests, and that disputes should be settled
peacefully in accordance with international law through multilateral
dialogue.

It also reiterated Taiwan's opposition to unilateral expansion, gray-zone
coercion and militarization in the South China Sea, calling on all parties to
resolve their differences peacefully.

The ministry's statement came as several countries, including the United
States, Japan and Australia, also marked the anniversary by reaffirming their
support for international law and a rules-based order in the South China Sea.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:33

Taiwan's military has launched a five-day joint defense exercise featuring
Marine Corps mobilization operations to reinforce the Taipei metropolitan
area.

The drill focuses on integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force while testing
decentralized command-and-control systems.

As part of the exercise, dozens of Marine Corps vehicles deployed from
southern Taiwan to Taipei's Nangang District and New Taipei's Xizhi District
to establish temporary command posts and conduct reconnaissance.

The Ministry of National Defense says the exercise is designed to strengthen
coordination among the military's three branches and improve their ability to
conduct joint operations under a decentralized command-and-control system.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:37

A Taichung junior high school student has lost a lawsuit after claiming to
have developed depression as a result of disciplinary measures imposed by a
homeroom teacher.

The Taichung District Court ruled the case did not meet the legal
requirements for government compensation.

The student and a parent argued the teacher required students to arrive at
school too early, set excessively high academic standards and punished them
by making them write lines.

The court found students were only required to arrive early once a week for
the school's flag-raising ceremony and said the teacher was acting within
their authority in setting academic standards and assigning the punishment.

It also ruled the family failed to prove a link between the student's mental
health and the teacher's disciplinary measures.

Posted on 2026-07-14 08:00:40

The Marine National Park Headquarters has signed a cooperation agreement with
TIPC Marine Corporation to strengthen maritime patrols in the waters of South
Penghu Marine National Park.

Returning port service vessels will carry park personnel on patrol missions
during their return voyages, increasing surveillance of protected waters.

The partnership will also establish a system for sharing vessel tracking
data, images and patrol records to help detect suspected illegal fishing,
coral reef damage and other violations.

Officials say the partnership will expand patrol coverage and create a
stronger marine patrol network, helping better protect the national park's
marine ecosystem.

The two sides also plan to work together on marine conservation education and
public awareness programs.

(IG)

Posted on 2026-07-13 20:08:13

The Taichung City government today identified two additional batches of
edible oil products contaminated with excessive levels of a carcinogen, along
with hundreds of downstream businesses that received products made from the
tainted oil.

According to the city's Office of Food and Drug Safety, those two
contaminated oil also originated from Taichung-based Central Union Oil and
was processed into two Fwusow 福壽 products: Fwusow Peanut Flavored Blended
Oil, and Fwusow Unsaturated Soybean Salad Oil.

The two batches had already been included on the Ministry of Health and
Welfare's recall list.

Taichung officials said they were sold to three major food manufacturers,
福壽Industry, Formosa Oilseed Processing, and Taisun Enterprise, which then
supplied hundreds of food businesses, including major bakery, coffee, and
restaurant chains.

Officials have ordered the three companies to continue identifying affected
products, customers, and distribution channels, saying any newly confirmed
products will be announced and immediately removed from sale.

(CNA JL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 20:08:13

Typhoon Bavi has caused more than $22 million in agricultural damage across
Taiwan.

The Ministry of Agriculture says Miaoli County suffered the heaviest losses,
totaling nearly $16 million NT.

That accounts for almost 70 percent of the national total.

New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Taoyuan also reported severe crop and
infrastructure damage.

Officials say persimmons were the hardest-hit crop... with losses reaching
12.5 million NT.

Dates, rice, bitter melons, and tomatoes also suffered significant damage.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-13 20:08:13

The National Stabilization Fund committee has released the results of its
stock market stabilization earlier this year, saying it invested a total of
$12.25 billion NT and generated a net profit of $9.9 billion.

That represents a return of 81 percent.

The Fund said after supporting the market for 279 days, the fund ended the
intervention on January 12 this year and began selling its holdings.

It had successfully sold all of its shares and completed its exit by May 6.

The fund stressed that Taiwan shares continued to rise steadily during the
period in which it sold its holdings, and that the sales did not have a
negative impact on the market.

The Stabilization Fund entered the market on April 9 last year to support
Taiwan shares in response to the United States tariffs.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 20:08:13

Kaohsiung City's annual milk tea festival returns in September, for a weekend
celebration of the city's tea drink industry.

The 2026 Kaohsiung Milk Tea Festival will be held on September 19th and 20th
at the plaza outside Yan-cheng-pu MRT Station Exit 1, bringing together more
than 70 bubble tea and food brands.

Organizers say Kaohsiung leads all of Taiwan's cities in hand-shaken drink
shops, with over 3-thousand outlets as of the end of last year, that's nearly
one fifth of the national total.

And the city says the Yanchengpu location was chosen to link the festival
with the surrounding historic commercial district, which is home to several
Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurants.

It also boasts a concentration of classic Kaohsiung street food.

(NS)

Posted on 2026-07-13 19:08:13

Taiwan Railways says its popular railway bento boxes are not affected by the
contaminated soybean oil scandal.

Although Taiwan Railways bento products appeared on the Food and Drug
Administration’s list of affected items, the company says a review confirmed
it did not use any of the contaminated oil batches identified by authorities.

It also received inspection certificates from its supplier verifying that the
oil met safety standards.

As a precaution, Taiwan Railways has still removed soybean oil purchased
between April and June from use and switched to another approved cooking oil
supplier.

Officials say daily lunch box production and sales will continue as normal
while the company cooperates with the ongoing food safety investigation.

Posted on 2026-07-13 19:08:13

The Food and Drug Administration has denied online claims that it has relaxed
the maximum allowable residue limit for the pesticide fipronil in apples.

It stressed today that no such standard exists and warned that anyone
spreading the false claim could face criminal penalties.

The clarification came after Facebook posts claimed that the F-D-A had
increased the allowable residue limit for the pesticide in apples sixfold.

The agency said the pesticide involved in the recent revision to apple
residue regulations was fen-pro-pa-thrin, not fipronil, stressing that the
two are completely different substances.

It stressed that Fipronil is an environmental insecticide used to control
pests such as termites and ants and is not approved for agricultural use,
while fen-pro-pa-thrin is legally permitted for use on fruit and vegetables.

Posted on 2026-07-13 18:17:13

An Academia Sinica's survey shows that a majority of the general public
believed that daily necessicities will continue to become more expensive next
year.

The Taiwan Consumer Expectations and Policy Response Survey, done in March
this year, indicates that 63-percent of the respondents expected their cost
of living to rise in 2027, with an average increase of nearly 9-percent.

The items expected to cost more include transportation, energy and food, as
well as new houses.

As many as 93-percent of the people also believed that Consumer Price Index
will rise with an average inflation rate of 2.2-percent.

On fertility intentions, only 12% of respondents said that a monthly
allowance of $5,000 NT per child until age 18 would increase their
willingness to have children.

(JL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 18:17:13

Civil youth groups are urging the legislature to pass amendments that would
lower the voting age to 18 for elections.

The amendment passed a first reading in May, but has been pending a second
reading since then.

However, the proposals still require interpretation of citizens' rights by
the Constitutional Court.

In the meantime, the legislative Internal Affairs Committee recommended that
the Legislative Yuan's Constitutional Amendment Committee begin the work of
getting the changes in place.

NGOs are calling for the legislature to pass the proposed changes to the
Elections and Recall Act as soon as possible...

and announce a date that those changes would go into effect.

The changes would lower the voting age to general elections from 20 to 18
years old.

Currently, teenagers can only vote in referendums.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-13 17:15:13

The DPP is slamming the KMT and TPP over having made this year's central
government general budget, in their words, the longest-procrastinated bill in
the legislature's history.

The 2026 general budget has been pending legislative examination for 319
days.

DPP Spokesperson Li Kun Cheng李坤城 noted that next year's general budget
proposal will be submitted to the legislature next month...

which means that there may be two central government budgets pending in the
Legislative Yuan at once.

The 2026 budget was submitted to the legislature in August of 2025, but Lee
says, only one of eight legislative committees have completed their reviews.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-13 17:15:13

Typhoon Bavi caused widespread damage in Miaoli County, where landslides and
mudslides have forced the closure of multiple sections of County Roads 21,
22, and 62,

Emergency crews are working to clear debris, with traffic expected to resume
tomorrow.

The sections are mainly in the mountainous areas of Tou-wu (頭屋), Shi-tan
(獅潭), Nan-zhuang (南庄) and Tai’an (泰安) townships.

In Nanzhuang 南庄 Township, road damage temporarily cut off Donghe 東河 Village,
leaving 12 residents in the Luhu 鹿湖 tribal area isolated.

Local officials say everyone is safe, but daily supplies are needed to be
airlifted in until access is fully restored.

The Central Weather Administration's data shows that mountains in Miaoli
received some 600 millimeters of rain from Bavi over the weekend.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 17:15:13

Air and sea transportation to and from Taiwan's outlying Matsu islands has
resumed normal schedules after Typhoon Bavi moved away.

Nan-gang and Bei-gan Airport officials say about 390 travelers were stranded
during the storm, but most have departed as of 4 PM today.

Ferry services have largely resumed, with only the Nangan南竿–Daqiu大坵 ferry
route still suspended.

Authorities say extra ferry services and available airline seats are helping
clear the backlog, and no military aircraft were needed.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 16:06:13

The DPP says, it is in favor of amending the food safety laws following the
oil carcinogen case.

The party's legislative caucus says, it would consider strengthening
oversight mechanisms and 3rd party testing, as well as lengthening the
statute of limitations.

That's after party chair Lai Ching-te previously said the party would
consider amending the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

DPP legislative caucus secretary general Zhuang Rui Xiong says today that the
caucus may propose changes aimed at ensuring public health.

Zhuang added that the issue was at its core a systemic one, and that changes
were needed to accelerate decision-making processes in order to minimize
financial losses.

Zhuang added that self reporting and closing blindspots between central and
local governments is key.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-13 16:06:13

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an 蔣萬安 is calling on President Lai Ching-te 賴清德 to
convene a national security meeting over the recent contaminated soybean oil
scandal.

Chiang said the government should first determine how the oil became
contaminated, trace its distribution, and ensure all risks have been
eliminated before allowing any products back on store shelves.

He said the case has seriously undermined public confidence in food safety,
and urged cross-ministerial cooperation to restore consumer trust.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 16:06:13

The 2-day Advanced Subjects Test, which kicked off today, has introduced
metal detectors for the first time this year to help prevent electronic
cheating.

The College Entrance Examination Center said the detectors are not used on
every student.

They are only deployed if a candidate is suspected of carrying or using
prohibited devices, such as mobile phones or smart wearables, and refuses to
cooperate with an inspection.

If a student voluntarily hands over the device, no metal detector will be
used.

However, those who refuse may be checked after the exam in the testing
office.

Officials said confirmed violations will be reviewed by the examination
committee, with penalties determined based on the severity of the offense.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 16:06:14

Lawmakers, local officials, and candidates for office in Pingtung attended
yesterday's opening of a new main office for the 75-year-old Pingtung County
Chamber of Commerce.

ICRT's Southern Taiwan correspondent Michael Smith reports.

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

The Ministry of Health and Welfare says about 144 metric tons of soybean oil
products had been removed from shelves and recalled as of yesterday.

That's a small faction of the 3-thousand 900 metric tons of affected or
precautionarily recalled oil products that have entered the market.

The Food and Drug Administration has been testing the affected products since
July 9, and Deputy Health Minister Lin Jing- yi said her ministry will
announce the test criteria today, allowing products that pass safety tests to
return to store shelves as soon as possible.

Lin stressed that the government is trying to balance food safety with
minimizing disruption to businesses and consumers.

She also acknowledged criticism over delays in the recall process and said
reporting procedures for food companies will be reviewed and improved.

Meanwhile, officials questioned discrepancies between test reports submitted
by Central Union Oils and those from downstream companies.

Prosecutors have already launched an investigation into the case.

(AL)

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

The first day of this year's astronomical high tide brought minor flooding to
parts of Pingtung County...

with seawater reaching ankle level in Donggang 東港 Township early yesterday
morning before receding a couple of hours later.

According to the Central Weather Administration, tide levels are expected to
be even higher tomorrow and wednesday...

increasing the risk of seawater flooding in low-lying coastal areas.

Pingtung County says it has completed flood prevention preparations,
including inspecting pumping stations, deploying mobile pumps, clearing
drainage systems, and monitoring tide conditions.

Officials are urging residents, especially those in coastal communities and
the aquaculture industry, to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the
high tides continue through the rest of the week.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 14:07:15

Taiwan shares are slightly up today, with the benchmark tai ex gaining 25
points to close the session at 45380.

The turnover was 1.025 trillion NT

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

Taichung City has fined Fwusow 福壽 Industry an additional $6 million NT for
failing to promptly report two products that tested above the legal limit for
carcinogen BaP.

According to officials, Fwusow received laboratory results on July 6 showing
excessive BaP levels in two cooking oil products.

However, the company did not notify authorities until July 12, violating
Taiwan's Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

Fwusow has now been hit with a total of 9 million NT in fines stemming from
the contaminated oil case.

The latest findings expand the case from three to five affected batches of
soybean oil supplied by Chung Lien 中聯 Oils.

Authorities have ordered Fwusow 福壽, Formosa Oilseed Processing, and Tai Shan
泰山 to provide detailed distribution records as officials continue tracing
affected products and ensuring they are removed from the market.

(AL)

Posted on 2026-07-13 13:08:16

The National Communications Commission says, amending the Telecommunications
Management Act would indeed offer greater flexibility.

That's as media reports have said that the changes could open the market to
Starlink.

Under current regulations, the chair of any public communications network
must hold Taiwanese citizenship, and foreign disrect shareholding cannot
reach half of all shareholders.

Local media speculations would indicate that some proposed amendments would
relax regulations for satellite communication operators...

leading some to question whether or not SpaceX's Starlink can operate in
Taiwan.

The proposed amendments were brought by several KMT lawmakers and DPP
lawmaker Lin Jun Xian.

Starlink is a telecom subsidiary of Elon Musk's Space X, which provides both
civilian service as well as government/military communication in the Russian
invasion of Ukraine.

Some have raised concerns about potential national security issues related to
allowing Starlink to operate in Taiwan...

but the Ministry of Digital Affairs says, the legislature will cross that
bridge when the amendment examination process arrives there.

(AH)

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

Typhoon Bavi left at least 135 people injured as it swept across Taiwan over
the weekend.

The Central Emergency Operations Center says more than 3,100 incidents were
reported, with fallen trees and damage to public facilities accounting for
most of them.

More than 15,000 people were evacuated across 14 cities and counties during
the storm.

Officials have also lowered the alert level for a barrier lake on Hualien
County's Wanli River after inflows subsided, reducing the immediate risk of
an overflow.

However, authorities say the area will continue to be closely monitored.

TaiPower says electricity has been restored to nearly all of the roughly 250
thousand households affected by the typhoon.

As of this morning, almost 1,400 households in Hsinchu County and 19 in
Miaoli County were still without power.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

Meanwhile, transportation services across Taiwan have been gradually
returning to normal in the wake of the storm.

Taiwan Railway says services on its western and eastern trunk lines, the
South Link Line and the Neiwan Branch Line have all resumed.

Taiwan High Speed Rail is also back to its normal schedule after reducing
services on Saturday as a precaution.

At Taoyuan International Airport, most flights and ground transportation
services resumed on Sunday, although more than 120 flights were canceled
after aircraft were unable to return from overseas because of the storm.

Ferry services were the hardest hit, with more than 100 sailings on 14 routes
canceled due to the storm.

Meanwhile, the Danjiang Bridge in New Taipei has reopened following safety
inspections and the clearing of debris.

And in central Taiwan, the Alishan Forest Railway remains closed today while
crews clear landslides and inspect the tracks.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

Health authorities say they are withholding test results for cooking oil
produced by Central Union Oil after conflicting results raised questions
about the reliability of the samples.

The move comes as officials continue investigating how some batches became
contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical benzo[a]pyrene.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang says samples kept by Central Union did not
match test results from products made using the company's oil.

Because of those discrepancies, the Food and Drug Administration has decided
not to release the latest test results and instead ordered every production
batch to be re-tested by accredited third-party laboratories.

The FDA says it expects to announce today when products made with the
affected batches between April and June can return to store shelves.

Benzo[a]pyrene is commonly found in tobacco smoke, and vehicle exhaust fumes.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

In related news,

The general manager of Central Union Oil has been released on 20 million NT
bail as prosecutors continue investigating why the company's cooking oil
contained excessive amounts of the contaminant.

Prosecutors immediately appealed the bail decision for General Manager Yu
Ling-chung, arguing he should remain in custody because of concerns he could
destroy evidence or collude with witnesses.

The Taichung District Court also ordered company chairman Tsai Ching-sung
released on 20 million NT bail, while the plant manager and 10 other suspects
were also granted bail pending further investigation.

Prosecutors allege Central Union manufactured about 1,300 metric tons of
contaminated soy-based cooking oil that exceeded the legal limit for
benzo[a]pyrene by four times and supplied it to major food processors between
April and June.

Those companies then distributed products containing the oil to smaller food
manufacturers and restaurants.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

Academics are rejecting U-S President Donald Trump's claim that Taiwan took
America's chip industry.

American scholar Michael Cunningham, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center,
says Taiwan and the United States are partners rather than competitors in
chip production.

He says U-S companies continue to lead in semiconductor design ... while
manufacturing is largely handled by Taiwanese firms, calling it a partnership
that has benefited both sides.

Trump ... in a CNBC interview early this month … said that Taiwan had
"literally took 100 percent" of the semiconductor business ... and predicted
the U-S would have up to 60 percent of chip manufacturing by the time he
leaves office.

However, Cunningham says that's unrealistic, arguing Taiwan's
long-established semiconductor ecosystem cannot be replicated quickly, even
as investment in U.S. chip manufacturing grows.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

President Lai Ching-te has expressed his condolences over the death of U-S
Senator Lindsey Graham, calling the South Carolina lawmaker "a true friend of
Taiwan".

Graham, a longtime senator and close ally of U-S President Donald Trump,
passed away Saturday night U-S time at the age of 71, after what his office
said was "a brief and sudden illness.

Lai on social media said Senator Graham will always be remembered as an
unwavering advocate (for Taiwan) and defender of freedom.

In a separate statement, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧)
said Graham championed legislation friendly towards Taiwan, supported the
country’s participation in the international community ...

... as well as stronger self-defense capabilities and closer Taiwan-U.S.
economic and trade ties.

Posted on 2026-07-13 07:56:13

Eighty-six Indonesian students have been awarded Taiwanese government
scholarships to study in Taiwan this year.

Before leaving, they attended a pre-departure orientation in Jakarta held by
Taiwan's representative office there, covering student visas, residency
procedures and campus life.

Taiwan's representative to Indonesia, Bruce Hung, said more than 19 thousand
Indonesian students are currently studying in Taiwan, making Indonesia the
second-largest source of international students after Vietnam.

Hung said Taiwan offers a strong Mandarin-learning environment and diverse
higher education opportunities, and encouraged the students to learn more
about the island's AI and semiconductor industries during their studies.

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