Sat, Jun 20, 2026
HAN KUANG EXERCISE: Military preparedness and joint defense exercises are to be held prior to live-fire exercises in August to test closer civil-military integration Taiwan is to launch next week a series of combat-readiness drills ahead of major exercises testing the military’s readiness and whole-of-society resilience, sources said yesterday.Summer and autumn are typically the peak seasons for Taiwan’s annual military exercises.While the Han Kuang exercises ar
Deadly exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon put a newly signed deal to end the Middle East war under further strain yesterday, after the postponement of planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland.The delay came as Tehran’s top negotiator warned it would not bend on its red lines and that its
EU leaders agreed during talks on Thursday that the bloc must develop beefed-up trade defenses to curb a surge of Chinese exports deemed an existential threat to European industry by Brussels — while simultaneously seeking “constructive dialogue” with Beijing.There is a growing consensus in the EU t
The UK Labour Party’s Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, won a special election for a seat in Parliament and yesterday signaled that he would use it to challenge embattled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the nation.Burnham decisively won the seat of Makerfie
OPPOSING COERCION: The president thanked the G7 for its support for the ‘status quo,’ saying Taiwan is willing to help in maintaining peace and stability in the Strait President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged China to abandon its military expansion in the South and East China seas, and the Taiwan Strait, as well as any use of force against Taiwan.Taiwan remains willing, on the basis of equality and dignity, to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China in p
The Executive Yuan yesterday proposed a NT$210 billion (US$6.65 billion) special budget bill for the procurement of domestically produced drones over six years, to offset funding removed from an earlier defense spending bill.The special budget — which uses a funding mechanism that bypasses normal bu
STILL STEADY: Representative to the US Alexander Yui expressed confidence in Taiwan-US relations, saying that it is important to look at actions, not just rhetoric Taiwan needs to purchase US weapons to ensure its self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Beijing, Representative to the US Alexander Yui said.A US$14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan is still in limbo after US President Donald Trump returned from Beijing last month and said he had disc
EXCUSES: Beijing is using government and research vessels as a pretext to harass the nation and enter its EEZ, and engage in ‘hegemonic expansion,’ the coast guard said The Coast Guard Administration yesterday said it drove away Chinese oceanographic research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 22 (向陽紅33) from restricted waters after warning it that it was in Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).The Chinese vessel entered restricted waters off the coast of Yilan County’s Suao
Chinese coast guard and scientific research vessels entering Taiwan’s restricted waters signaled Beijing’s shift toward hybrid warfare, which is increasing pressure on the nation’s maritime enforcement agencies, Taiwan National Security Institute deputy secretary-general Ho Cheng-hui (何澄輝) said.With
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has detained six crew members from an unnamed Chinese fishing vessel caught operating in restricted waters off a Penghu Islands islet, an official said yesterday, adding that the group is being held while an investigation is ongoing.The Chinese vessel was sp
Although the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) seeks peace, it would not give up Taiwan’s right to self-defense and would fight back if China attacked it despite the nation not formally declaring independence, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said.Cheng made the comment during an interview with The E
The army would soon deploy a drone battalion on Penghu County, which would significantly bolster its early warning capabilities in the event of an enemy attack, a military source with knowledge of the matter said.The move would expand the area covered by Taiwan’s early warning mechanisms, and allow
INCREASED RISK: People seeking weight loss treatment should go through the proper medical channels and refrain from buying products from unknown sources, the FDA said The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday said it is considering tighter border controls on GLP-1 weight loss drugs amid illegal imports from China and online platforms.GLP-1 drugs, commonly known as “weight loss injections,” have fueled a surge in demand for weight loss treatments in the pas
COOPERATION: The scheme includes Taiwan-grown fruit imports of bananas, pineapples and mangoes, continuing until August, the ministry said South Korea has announced that the preferential tariff on Taiwanese exports of bananas, pineapples and mangoes would be extended to Aug. 15, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday.The South Korean government in February launched a tariff-rate quota scheme to help stabilize consumer food prices a
Pingtung County’s Jiadong Township (佳冬) yesterday marked the arrival of the Dragon Boat Festival with its annual watermelon balancing event. In Taiwanese tradition, people often balance eggs upright during the Dragon Boat Festival to bring good luck for the year, but in Pingtung, they use watermelon
RESTRICTION BREACH: ASML said that it denies ‘unfounded rumors regarding non-compliance with export controls concerning China,’ and enforces controls strictly US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a series of recent meetings outlined concerns to Dutch chip-equipment giant ASML Holding NV’s senior leaders that one of its top-of-the-line machines might have made its way into China, in violation of US-led export restrictions.In the meetings, Lutnick exp
RATES INFLUENCE: Liquidity is abundant, as reflected in a stock market rally, while a subsidy program for first-time homebuyers might help demand, a realtor said Taiwan’s property market is likely to stabilize following the central bank’s decision on Thursday to leave interest rates and mortgage restrictions unchanged, a move market participants say signals that policymakers are comfortable with a gradual cooling, but are alert to potential financial risks.C
Industrial computer maker Adlink Technology Inc (凌華科技) on Thursday said it is targeting double-digit revenue growth this year, driven by rising adoption of edge artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, smart manufacturing, infotainment and rugged computing applications.Adlink ’s revenue last year
Today marks the 26th World Refugee Day, established by the UN to commemorate the resilience of those forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, violence or persecution. The day has reignited discussion about Taiwan’s long-overdue refugee law, something lawmakers have been trying to enact f
Taiwan is often praised for its politically engaged young voters, with one of the most cited youth protest movements being the Sunflower movement in 2014. Among Asian countries, Taiwanese are regarded as highly active politically and socially. However, youth debates often occur outside the places wh
On June 7, Hai Xun 06, a Chinese Maritime Safety Administration vessel operating with China Coast Guard ships east of Taiwan, radioed three passing merchant vessels — flagged in Singapore, Liberia and Benin — and asked for their ports of departure, destination and crew counts. The Coast Guard Admini
INTERLEAGUE PROPOSAL: Pilots coach Iurgi Caminos said a series should be held between his team and Taiwan Professional Basketball League champs the Dreamers The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on Thursday routed the Taipei Fubon Braves 107-81 in Game 7 of the P.League+ Finals to secure back-to-back championships, with Taiwanese basketball legend Lin Chih-chieh of the Braves playing the final game of his career.Pilots big man Alec Brown, who averaged 15.2 points a
Waikato Chiefs captain Tupou Vaa’i yesterday said that the Super Rugby final against the Wellington Hurricanes today is “the game that everyone wanted to see.”The Chiefs and the hometown Hurricanes are looking to end decade-long waits for a Super Rugby title.The Hurricanes won their only title in 20
Mexico on Thursday took advantage of a defensive blunder by South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup, sending fans onto the streets across the country to celebrate.It marks a major triumph for a team who failed to get out of the group st
The Iranian football federation on Thursday said that it would lodge a complaint with FIFA, claiming its team are being subjected to travel restrictions during the FIFA World Cup in North America.Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to the US two days before their next match,
NUCLEAR-ARMED STATE: South Korea’s president said US President Donald Trump had told him that ‘the time had come to pay attention to the North Korea issue’ Assistance from Russia had rendered sanctions imposed on nuclear-armed North Korea “ineffective,” South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said yesterday after discussing the matter with US President Donald Trump.Lee and Trump met at a G7 summit in France this week, where they discussed the long-running
‘PRO-FAMILY’: Representatives from 18 nations approved a charter urging governments to withdraw from treaties or agreements promoting LGBT, abortion or sex education Lawmakers from more than a dozen African countries have pledged to push new bills restricting LGBT rights, after a conference in Ghana that brought together self-described “pro-family” activists from across Africa and Europe, participants said.The African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Val
The Cambodian Supreme Court yesterday upheld the incitement conviction of a prominent opposition politician while suspending the remainder of his sentence, keeping him out of prison, but unable to practice politics for years and renewing questions about the government’s efforts to quash criticism.Th
The last time Taiwan’s foreign correspondents were invited to a special briefing with a sitting president was in 2015. That was two presidents ago under Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九). But Thursday morning, President William Lai (賴清德) welcomed the nation’s international press corps warmly, speaking specifically
Four small parties announced in September last year that they were forming an alliance. In the months following, the alliance announced its name, Taiwan Go Go (TGG, 台灣前進陣線). They did this to maximize their chances under Taiwan’s political system. In 2005, the National Assembly convened to add amendm
In most of Taiwan’s temples, you’ll find door gods (門神) — full-length portraits of protective deities painted directly onto the large wooden main entrance doors. More often than not, they depict Qin Shubao (秦叔寶) and Yuchi Gong (尉遲恭), seventh-century generals who are said to have guarded the sleeping
＃本文由生成式 AI 協作，本刊編輯編修Flavor isn’t just created by the seasonings used in a dish but also by the wild backstory attached to it. In some cases, a great dish isn’t the result of careful planning but of an unexpected burst of inspiration.The Ex-Boyfriend ToastIn 2025, the variety show Earth Arcade turned
A: In June alone, there are multiple film concerts for not only “Frozen” but also “Attack on Titan” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” B: Wow, film concerts are so popular. But a TV music competition reality show is even more popular now.A: Are you talking about “Ride the Wind 2026” — Season 7 of the “Sist
A: The classic musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” co-produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is making its Taiwan debut at the National Theater during the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend.B: Isn’t the rock musical, based on the “Passion” of Jesus, hailed as one of Webber’s “four major musica
| 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% |