Sat, Apr 04, 2026
EXPERIENCED: The nation could learn from Israel’s experience in building cybersecurity defense systems, protecting critical infrastructure and cultivating talent, an official said The military’s Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command is implementing plans to bolster cybersecurity protection, including a “Dedicated Communication Network Bandwidth Service” contract with Chunghwa Telecom for NT$5.457 billion (US$170.68 million), which was signed this week, a so
A NT$30 billion (US$938.32 million) agricultural security fund would be set up to ensure agricultural workers’ rights and benefits, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday in response to concerns over the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).The Office of the US Trade Representative on T
French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung yesterday agreed to work together to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease global economic uncertainties caused by the war in the Middle East.Their summit in Seoul came as US President Donald Trump slammed allies for not s
Myanmar’s pro-military lawmakers yesterday elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president, with the former armed forces commander set to maintain his rule in a civilian guise after snatching power by force five years ago.The coup-leading general ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in
SEVEN-POINT PLAN: The vice premier outlined plans that included maintaining oil and LNG inventory, as well as keeping Taiwanese at home and in the Mideast safe Ticket prices for public transportation would remain unchanged for now, despite rising fuel prices, the Executive Yuan said yesterday, as the government seeks to stabilize consumer prices.The Ministry of Transportation and Communications would ensure that the high-speed railway, Taiwan Railway Corp
CORE VALUES: The two leaders said that there is a need to bolster supply chains for critical minerals, as there are concerns about tighter restrictions Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.According to Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun, the two leaders
POLITICAL PREREQUISITES: The Presidential Office urged Cheng Li-wun to recognize that most Taiwanese are in favor of swift passage of the defense budget Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) yesterday urged for the swift review of the special defense budget before Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit to China.Cheng on Monday said she has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) invitation to visit Chi
Reckless remarks: Li reportedly said if the party decided to expel her from her position in the legislature for a remark she made, she would file a lawsuit to defend her rights The Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Central Evaluation Committee is slated to hold a meeting on Thursday next week concerning TPP Legislator Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀).Li is the first “Chinese spouse” to serve in the legislature. However, since taking office in February, she has been embroiled in controversy. R
A task force of the Executive Yuan handling Taiwan-US trade yesterday said that the impact of new US tariffs on patented drugs is “controllable,” as Taiwan’s pharmaceutical exports to the US are generic.The comments followed an executive order signed on Thursday by US President Donald Trump imposing
An online platform has been set up to provide the latest information on the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) for domestic industries, said the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) on Thursday.The EU launched its CBAM on New Year’s Day this year, placing carbon tariffs on imports, with charg
Representative to the US Alexander Yui on Thursday said that he “felt bad” about his “management style” and pledged to improve, amid accusations online over the past few weeks alleging workplace bullying involving himself and his wife.In a statement issued to Taiwanese media, Yui said he was sorry f
RAIL DEPOT CRASHES: Transportation safety authorities said that processes had to improve after a crash in Hualien last year, with a similar incident in Keelung this week The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board on Thursday issued four recommendations to Taiwan Railway Corp and the Railway Bureau regarding shunting operations amid a spate of such incidents over the past year.The board issued its recommendations based on an investigation into an incident at the Hualien
NTU BREAKTHROUGH: The portability of the device offers an advantage over large, immobile plants, which are vulnerable to supply disruptions, the researchers said A research team has developed a backpack-sized machine capable of continuously making biodiesel, a breakthrough for the deployability and efficiency of biofuel manufacturing technology.Led by Chiang Ya-yu (蔣雅郁), an associate professor in National Taiwan University’s (NTU) Department of Mechanical En
Two weather fronts are forecast to move across Taiwan in succession starting today, bringing significant rainfall to northern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said that from today through early tomorrow, a frontal system would bri
Inspections would be increased to curb human trafficking and forced labor at sea, the Fisheries Agency said on Thursday in response to calls to end to labor exploitation in the distant-water fisheries industry.At a news conference earlier in the day, rights advocates urged legislative reforms to pro
OVERHAUL: The US president also issued a separate metals tariff proclamation that halved the duty rate to 25% on many derivative products made with steel US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered 100 percent tariffs on certain branded pharmaceutical imports, and overhauled steel, aluminum and copper duties as his administration sought to move on from the collapse of the broad global tariffs that he announced exactly a year earlier.The new tranche
AI BOOM: Strong demand for high-seed load boards used in final testing for chips used in high-performance-computing devices fueled the growth Chunghwa Precision Test Technology Co (CHPT, 中華精測), a chip testing and wafer probing services provider, yesterday reported record-high quarterly revenue for last quarter totaling NT$1.36 billion (US$42.5 million), setting the scene for the company to report gradual growth each quarter this year driv
Domestic banks and securities firms are strengthening fee-based businesses to support revenue growth and cushion potential market volatility, a report by Taiwan Ratings Corp (中華信評) said.Taiwanese lenders have steadily expanded fee income in the past few years — particularly from wealth management an
The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday released a report on equal access to legal representation, emphasizing that people on trial who require interpreters or publicly appointed lawyers are often disadvantaged by structural weaknesses within Taiwan’s judicial system.The report focuses on no
Influenced by the conflict in the Middle East, the prices of some raw materials have surged. The cost of petrochemical products, such as gasoline and plastics, has risen sharply, leading not only to higher prices for everyday plastic packaging materials, but also potential shortages.For example, the
The Honduran National Congress recently approved a motion urging the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a report on the state of the agreements signed with China by previous administrations and an overall analysis of the state of relations with China, following allegations that Cuban consu
POST-SEASON BERTH: The Cleveland Cavaliers punched their Eastern Conference playoff ticket with a victory over the Golden State Warriors NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday embarrassed the Los Angeles Lakers 139-96 in a blowout made more painful by the early exit of injured Lakers star Luka Doncic.The marquee showdown between Most Valuable Player contenders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic fizzled long before Doncic
Matt Olson, Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubon on Thursday hit solo homers, and Reynaldo Lopez gave up one run over five innings as the Atlanta Braves coasted to a 17-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a four-game series.The Braves broke it open with an eight-run fifth inning, se
Barcelona winger Raphinha’s untimely injury heaps further pressure on teenage star Lamine Yamal ahead of the club’s triple-header against Atletico Madrid.The Spanish champions visit Atletico today as they bid to maintain or even extend their lead at the top of La Liga, before two further games again
New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto de Zerbi confirmed that he would remain at the club next season even if they suffer relegation from the English Premier League as he welcomed the biggest challenge of his career.The Italian was appointed on a five-year deal on Tuesday, with Spurs perilously p
REVISED TEXT: The draft resolution would greenlight the use of defensive means to secure transit passage and deter attempts to interfere with international navigation The UN Security Council postponed a vote scheduled for yesterday on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain authorizing the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.The reason given was that the UN observes Good Friday as a public holiday, diplomatic so
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday slammed oil traders for “excessive profiteering,” blaming those stockpiling fuel or smuggling it abroad for shortages that have driven prices steadily higher.“Authorities have found cases of fuel stockpiling and smuggling for sale in neighboring coun
HIGH HOPES: The power source is expected to have a future, as it is not dependent on the weather or light, and could be useful for places with large desalination facilities A Japanese water plant is harnessing the natural process of osmosis to generate renewable energy that could one day become a common power source.The possibility of generating power from osmosis — when water molecules pass from a less salty solution to a more salty one — has long been known. However,
Polling data often confirms what we expect, but sometimes it throws up surprises. When examined over time, some patterns appear that speak to something bigger going on. In this column, whenever possible, Formosa’s polls are used. Despite the sometimes cringeworthy antics of Formosa’s Chairman, Wu Tz
It’s only half the size of its more famous counterpart in Taipei, but the Botanical Garden of the National Museum of Nature Science (NMNS, 國立自然科學博物館植物園) is surely one of urban Taiwan’s most inviting green spaces. Covering 4.5 hectares immediately northeast of the government-run museum in Taichung’s
If you’re looking for some killer real estate, might we suggest The Virgil, an exclusive, well-appointed building in New York City? It’s one of those century-old hotel-condos with great bones and spacious apartments, fully furnished. One drawback they might not mention on Zillow is all the murderous
Despite being a basic tool, pens come in a wide variety of forms. Classic styles include fountain pens, which deliver liquid ink smoothly through metal tips. Another common type is the ballpoint pen, which is easy to use. There are even special felt pens that are especially popular among artists. __
A: Apart from the musical The Phantom of the Opera, off-Broadway classic “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and musical-themed concert “Broadway Hits Live” are also touring Taiwan.B: Musical-themed concert? That sounds interesting.A: Set for April 18 and 19, the show will feature a group of Br
A: The four-day Tomb Sweeping Day long weekend begins Friday and will run until Monday. Are you going to sweep your ancestors’ tombs?B: I did in advance last weekend, so I can go to Kaohsiung to see the musical “The Phantom of the Opera.”A: Wow, is “Phantom” touring Taiwan again? It debuted in 1986,
Two moves show Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) is gunning for Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) party chair and the 2028 presidential election. Technically, these are not yet “officially” official, but by the rules of Taiwan politics, she is now on the dance floor. Earlier this month Lu confirmed in an interview in Japan’s Nikkei that she was considering running for KMT chair. This is not new news, but according to reports from her camp she previously was still considering the case for and against running. By choosing a respected, international news outlet, she declared it to the world. While the outside world likely paid little attention, domestically the message was unmistakable: She is moving on to a larger stage. Part of the dance is to leave options open before formally committing, and with the chair race due in late September, she has time. If something goes wrong in the meantime, or if power brokers in the party offer her a deal that provides more benefits than taking on the role of chair, she can pivot accordingly. Earlier this year, I suggested that strategically, she would be better off concentrating on her job as Taichung mayor until she is term-limited out of office in December next year. Taichung mayor is obviously a full-time job, and concurrently running the Taipei-headquartered party runs the risk of doing one or both jobs poorly and making mistakes that could imperil her shot at the presidency in 2028. The situation has changed. Current KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), knowing he is likely to face challengers of a higher caliber than the three relative nobodies already declared, has gone all in on appealing to the base. The base is more likely to turn out to vote in the chair election, so this makes some strategic sense in the short term.
Among Thailand’s Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) villages, a certain rivalry exists between Arunothai, the largest of these villages, and Mae Salong, which is currently the most prosperous. Historically, the rivalry stems from a split in KMT military factions in the early 1960s, which divided command and opium territories after Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) cut off open support in 1961 due to international pressure (see part two, “The KMT opium lords of the Golden Triangle,” on May 20). But today this rivalry manifests as a different kind of split, with Arunothai leading a pro-China faction and Mae Salong staunchly aligned to Taiwan. Last spring at Arunothai’s Jiaolian School, principal Wang Mingming (王明明) had forewarned me of the division between villages, saying, “We are not like the people in Mae Salong. They are rich. Because of the Taiwanese.” Arunothai has in recent years become split in its loyalties between Taiwan and China (see part one, “A tale of two schools,” on May 15), but in Mae Salong, links to Taiwan remain strong. Taiwan-funded monuments pay homage to the Lost Army, villagers wear T-shirts emblazoned with the Republic of China (ROC) flag and tea plantations grown Taiwan’s most famous tea varieties, including Dong Ding (“frozen peak”) Oolong, Oriental Beauty and Jin Xuan (Golden Daylily or Milk Oolong). Even the numerical classifications of the teas — Oolong No. 12 or No. 17, for example — are the same, and the shops resemble those found on Alishan. At the tomb of General Tuan Hsi-wen (段希文) — perched on a Mae Salong hilltop with a view of his ancestral homeland in China’s Yunnan province — a third generation villager wearing a vintage KMT army uniform, Yan Si-Chung (岩思中), greets visitors with sharp military salutes. “Both my father and my grandfather were soldiers in the KMT army,” the 44-year-old
| New Taipei City | 27-28 | 20% |  |
| Hsinchu County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Hsinchu City | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Taipei City | 27-28 | 20% |  |
| Miaoli County | 24-26 | 10% | |
| Taoyuan City | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Keelung City | 27-28 | 20% | |
| Yunlin County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Taichung City | 26-28 | 10% | |
| Nantou County | 25-26 | 10% | |
| Changhua County | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Chiayi County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Chiayi City | 25-27 | 10% | |
| Tainan City | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Kaohsiung City | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Pingtung County | 26-27 | 10% | |
| Yilan County | 25-26 | 30% |  |
| Hualien County | 25-26 | 30% | |
| Taitung County | 25-27 | 30% | |
| Kinmen County | 27-28 | 10% | |
| Penghu County | 27-27 | 20% | |
| Lienchiang County | 27-28 | 20% | |
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