Concerning polling on Taiwanese identityBy Yang Chih-chiang 楊智強According to the most recent My Formosa poll released on Dec. 1, 26.4 percent of respondents agreed that “both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong under one China,” up from 17.4 percent in March from the same pollster. Cross-analysis suggests that the shift was primarily driven by supporters of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). The fear is that these shifts in polling numbers are just the beginning. If the crisis is ignored, it is Taiwanese who will pay the price. Civil society must remain vigilant and come together to defend Taiwanese agency.

Specifically, an important question concerns how to engage “low information, high emotion” voters. While analytically useful, the label “low information” risks sounding dismissive and missing mechanisms for change. As contemporary policy debates have become too complex for many ordinary citizens to decipher, voters are, in effect, not merely low information, but often high emotion. Who must the Lai administration reach if it is to engage “low information, high emotion” voters? Former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) widely circulated “Iron Cat Lady” image humanized political leadership and reached audiences far beyond policy-engaged voters.

Seven elephants killed, calf injured in India train crashAP, GUWAHATI, IndiaSeven wild Asiatic elephants were killed and a calf was injured when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd crossing the tracks in India’s northeastern state of Assam early yesterday, local authorities said. Train passengers take photographs of a dead elephant after it was hit by a train in Hojai district in Assam, India, yesterday. Around 200 passengers who were in the five derailed coaches have been moved to Guwahati in a different train,” Sharma said. Speeding trains hitting wild elephants is not rare in Assam, which is home to an estimated 7,000 wild Asiatic elephants, one of the highest concentrations of the pachyderm in India. Wild elephants often stray into human habitations this time of year, when rice fields are ready for harvesting.

Ministry to require EIA for carbon storage projectsBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Environment said it is planning to require carbon storage projects to undergo an environmental impact assessment (EIA) regardless of size. The ministry on Friday announced draft amendments to articles 29, 42 and 46 of the Standards for Determining Specific Items and Scope of Environmental Impact Assessments for Development Activities (開發行為應實施環境影響評估細目及範圍認定標準). Photo: Chen Chia-yi, Taipei TimesArticles 29 and 46 of the standards were revised to specify the clauses of the act relevant to the EIA review criteria for solar facility projects, while Article 42 was revised to include carbon storage as one of the construction project types subject to EIA review. Given that carbon storage could result in environmental impacts, such as leakages, groundwater pollution or geological safety risks, EIA reviews are indispensable to preventing adverse impacts caused by such development behaviors, she said. Therefore, carbon storage projects must be subject to EIA review, regardless of the size of each project, she added.

Famous faces, blacked-out pages in new Epstein filesAFP, WASHINGTONThe US Department of Justice on Friday began releasing a long-awaited cache of records from its investigations into the politically explosive case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — although much of the material remained heavily redacted. Others show Epstein and companions, their faces obscured, posing with firearms. Democrats voiced frustration that the release fell far short of what was mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. “Simply releasing a mountain of blacked-out pages violates the spirit of transparency and the letter of the law. He severed ties years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest and faces no accusations of wrongdoing in the case.

Will Nvidia turbocharge China’s military AI? Chinese military documents said that future warfare hinges on using AI to determine precision and lethality of military operations. A review of records by researchers at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) shows the Chinese military purchasing Nvidia GPUs to develop AI-enabled systems. Allowing China access to chips such as the H200 risks accelerating Beijing’s military AI capabilities at a pivotal moment, said the Atlantic Council. Officials might try to manage access carefully so that neither Nvidia nor any other form of US tech leads to strategic military dependency.

The attack unfolded in the early evening on Friday around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later near the Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan Station. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesLai said that to protect public safety, police rapid response units would increase their counterterrorism training, and deploy in crowded spaces and at large events. The response times of law enforcement agencies at all levels are to be enhanced to facilitate rapid reaction to disturbances, he said. President William Lai listens to a briefing by the National Police Agency in Taipei yesterday. Lai also visited injured victims, met with their families and offered his condolences to the bereaved families.

Trump declines to rule out possibility of Venezuela warAFP, WASHINGTONUS President Donald Trump left open the possibility of war with Venezuela, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday vowed to enforce a blockade on the country’s oil wealth. “There’s nothing that’s going to impede our ability to enforce US law when it comes to sanctions,” Rubio said. Trump aide Stephen Miller has accused Venezuela of “expropriation,” as US companies were involved in early oil exploration on sovereign Venezuelan territory. Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has promised security to keep its ships sailing. The US House of Representatives, narrowly controlled by Trump’s Republicans, on Wednesday rejected a bid to restrict Trump from attacking Venezuela without congressional approval.

US affirms Taiwan commitmentsREBUFFED: In response to Chinese criticism over recent arms sales, Washington urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue instead of threats and intimidationBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with CNAWashington’s long-term commitment to Taiwan would not change, the US Department of State said yesterday, urging Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and engage in meaningful bilateral dialogues. The remarks came in response to a backlash from Beijing about Washington’s latest approval of arms sales to Taiwan. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted with strong opposition soon after the arms sale was announced. Washington urges Beijing to refrain from imposing military, diplomatic or economic pressure on Taiwan, they said, adding that Beijing should instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan. This is the second time that the US has announced an arms sale to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

EU leaders agree to provide a massive 90bn euro interest-free loan to UkraineAP, BRUSSELSEU leaders yesterday agreed to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years, but they failed to bridge differences with Belgium that would have allowed them to use frozen Russian assets to raise the funds. The IMF estimated that Ukraine would need 137 billion euros (US$160 billion) next year and in 2027. The plan had been to use some of the 210 billion euros of Russian assets that are frozen in Europe, mostly in Belgium. “The financial package for Ukraine has been finalized,” Merz said, adding that “Ukraine is granted a zero-interest loan.”The frozen assets would remain blocked until Russia has paid war reparations to Ukraine, he said. “For me, the reparations loan was not a good idea,” De Wever said.

Post office, driver’s license changes comingSHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operatorsBy Shelley Shan

Towering handcrafted lanterns light up Philippines’ Christmas lantern festivalAFP, SAN FERNANDO, PhilippinesIn Christmas-mad Philippines, thousands cheered as handcrafted lanterns towering 6m high lighted up the night sky in San Fernando. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery, and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. People watch as a giant lantern lights up during the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, on Sunday. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronized by 15km of electric cables and symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. “Almost all the lanternmakers here are related to each other or are friends with the others,” said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.

TikTok signs deal to end US ban threatNEW ENTITY: The joint venture would be held by a consortium of new investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, with Bytedance retaining about 20 percentAFP, WASHINGTONTikTok on Thursday said it has signed a joint venture deal with investors that would allow the company to maintain operations in the US and avoid a ban threat over its Chinese ownership. Oracle executive chairman and founder Larry Ellison is a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump. TikTok Global’s US entities would manage global product interoperability, and certain commercial activities, including e-commerce, advertising and marketing, the memo said. Chew said there is more work to be done ahead of the Jan. 22 next year closing date for the deal. “Keeping the US operation live is itself a victory” for Bytedance, technology consultancy Dolphin founder Li Chengdong (李成東) said.

Seahawks edge Rams in thriller to take No. The Seattle Seahawks’ Eric Saubert, center, celebrates after making a two-point conversion during their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field in Seattle on Thursday. Although Seattle drew first blood with a Zach Charbonnet touchdown, the Rams dominated the first half, stifling the Seahawks offense. Although the two-point attempt initially appeared incomplete, officials ruled that Charbonnet had scored after a backward pass deflected off a Rams helmet. Nacua scored the Rams’ touchdown, before Darnold slung it to Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the other end, setting up the decisive two-point attempt.

Rescued lion, bear find new homes in German sanctuariesAP, PRISTINAA lion and bear rescued from captivity in northern Albania arrived in animal sanctuaries in Germany, after authorities in Tirana discovered they were being illegally kept as pets on a private estate. Erion, a three-year-old lion, and Flora, a two-year-old bear, are now starting a new life. Erion, a three-year-old lion, sits in its enclosure before its transportation from Tirana to Germany on Tuesday. Four Paws said it believes the lion is a victim of illegal wildlife trafficking, while the bear was likely poached from the wild. Four Paws project manager Sajmir Shehu said the law lacks a stringent framework based on which organizations like his could prevent wild animals being kept in captivity.