Two Tiananmen vigil organizers plead not guilty in HKAP, HONG KONGTwo organizers of Hong Kong’s long-running vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre yesterday pleaded not guilty, while a third pleaded guilty before the trial, which was brought under China-imposed national security legislation that has largely erased dissent in the territory. Photo: AFPLee and Chow pleaded not guilty and a hearing for arguments over defense witnesses was scheduled to resume today. The alliance’s call meant ending the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership and that goal opposed the constitution, prosecutor Ned Lai (黎嘉誼) said yesterday. The alliance promoted that call through different channels, including by operating a museum about the 1989 massacre and hosting activities, Lai said. After Hong Kong’s security law took effect, Ho stated that he would press on with calls for “a democratic China” and “ending one-party rule,” Lai said.

Rooftop solar to be required on large new buildingsStaff writer, with CNALarge new buildings with a floor area of more than 1,000m² would be required to install rooftop solar panels starting Aug. 1 as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) said on Thursday. The regulation is one of several diversified green energy measures for this year, which include expanding household rooftop solar installations to add 200 megawatts of capacity, Lai told the sixth National Climate Change Committee meeting. Solar panels are installed on the rooftop of a building in Taipei in an undated photograph. As for carbon emissions reduction in the manufacturing sector, Lai said that emissions last year are estimated to have totaled 138 million tonnes, below the target of 144 million tonnes. Looking ahead, artificial intelligence would this year be introduced to maximize energy efficiency, with the aim of reducing emissions to 117.4 million tonnes by 2030, he said.

US House approves US$1.15 billion for Taiwan defenseBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe US House of Representatives yesterday passed a defense appropriations bill totaling US$838.7 billion, allocating US$1 billion to reinforce security cooperation with Taiwan and US$150 million to replace defense articles provided to Taiwan. These defense appropriations are part of the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2026, which the House yesterday passed with 341 votes in favor and 88 against. Photo: Taipei Times file photoThe US House Committee on Appropriations on Monday unveiled the act, saying that it allocates US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) and US$150 million to replace and reimburse defense articles provided to Taiwan. The act states that the US Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) should set aside US$1 billion of its allocated funds to support the TSCI, with the funds available for use through Sept. 30 next year. With the dedicated funding, the US could order equivalent or upgraded replacements from defense contractors, improving transparency and quality control, they said.

THSRC ranks fifth in global sustainabilityBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterTaiwan High Speed Rail Corp (THSRC) yesterday said that it ranked fifth among the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations this year, due to its consistent efforts in reducing carbon emissions, protecting the environment and increasing the use of locally produced products. A Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp train stops at a station in an undated photograph. “As Taiwan High Speed Rail approaches its 20th anniversary next year, the company will continue aligning with global sustainability trends, marking a significant milestone with new-generation high-speed rail services,” Shih said. The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations ranking is conducted by Corporate Knights, an international research organization dedicated to monitoring sustainable economic trends. It has earned international credibility and is recognized as an important reference for business leaders and policymakers to observe global sustainability trends.

Lite-On announces offer to acquire 20% to 100% of U-Media CommunicationsBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterElectronic components manufacturer Lite-On Technology Corp (光寶科技) has made a public tender offer to partially or fully acquire U-Media Communications Inc (宇智網通), which provides advanced 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) and connectivity solutions. U-Media shares rose 9.92 percent to close at NT$49.85 yesterday. From left, Lite-On Technology Corp chief financial officer K.T. Photo courtesy of Lite-On Technology CorpThrough the tender offer, which begins today and runs until March 12, Lite-On targets to acquire between 20 percent (7,538,820) and 100 percent (37,694,100) of U-Media’s outstanding shares. Lite-On shares closed up 9.94 percent at NT$177 yesterday.

Migrant worker wins NT$12m in scratch card gameBy Cheng Chi-fang and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerA Vietnamese migrant worker yesterday won NT$12 million (US$379,627) on a Lunar New Year scratch card in Kaohsiung as part of Taiwan Lottery Co’s (台灣彩券) “NT$12 Million Grand Fortune” (1200萬大吉利) game. Three Vietnamese migrant workers visited a Taiwan Lottery shop on Xinyue Street in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (崗山), a store representative said. A statue of the Maitreya Buddha stands in a Taiwan Lottery store in an undated photograph. The “NT$20 Million Super Red Envelope” (2,000萬超級紅包) game costs NT$2,000 per ticket, with 10 NT$20 million prizes and 1,200 prizes of NT$1 million available to win, it said. The number of top prizes, million-dollar-plus prizes, prize categories and the total prize money this year all tie with last year as the most in the company’s history, it added.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr hit with an impeachment complaintAFP, MANILAMembers of Philippine civil society groups yesterday filed an impeachment complaint against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, accusing him of systematically bilking taxpayers out of billions of dollars for bogus flood control projects. From left, Philippine Legislator Sara Elago, Makabayan member Teddy Casino, Philippine Legislator Louise Co, Makabayan member Renato Reyes and Philippine Legislator Antonio Tinio hold copies of an impeachment complaint against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Philippine House of Representatives in Quezon City yesterday. “Because the truth is, he is the head of this corruption.”Hours later, a group with ties to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte showed up at the House of Representatives with its own corruption-based impeachment complaint against the president, only to depart without leaving a copy. Thursday’s complaint was not the first filed against Marcos this week. According to the constitution, any citizen can file an impeachment complaint, provided it is endorsed by one of the more than 300 members of the Philippine Congress.

Record 10 Taiwanese qualify for Winter GamesStaff writer, with CNAA record 10 athletes across seven sports are to represent Taiwan at the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, including the nation’s first-ever women’s bobsled team, the Ministry of Sports announced on Wednesday. The athletes include men’s figure skater Li Yu-hsiang, women’s speed skater Chen Ying-chu, men’s alpine skier Troy Samuel Chang and women’s alpine skier Lee Wen-yi, the ministry told a news conference in Taipei. Other members of team Taiwan include women’s cross-country skier Sophia Velicer, men’s cross-country skier Lee Chieh-han, skeleton slider Peng Lin-wei, and the women’s bobsled team of Lin Sin-rong, Liang Yu-chieh and Lin Song-en. Minister of Sports Lee Yang, front, third left, poses with Taiwanese athletes, and sports staff and officials at an Olympic flag presentation ceremony in Taipei yesterday. It is no small feat for Taiwan to have six women and four men qualify for the Winter Games, Hung said, encouraging the athletes to enjoy the experience.

Senegal stun Morocco to win AFCONMARRED FINAL: As most of Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a controversial decision, some supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the pitch Senegal on Sunday won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sunk hosts Morocco 1-0 after a chaotic final that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with a controversial spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time as ugly scenes broke out in the stands. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted “Panenka” chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.

The unemployment rate stood at 3.3 percent last month, while the full-year average came in at 3.35 percent — both the lowest readings in 25 years, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said yesterday. On a seasonally adjusted basis, last month’s jobless rate was 3.35 percent, marking a 26-year low. Regulatory restrictions on senior employment have been eased, allowing workers aged 65 and older to remain in the workforce by mutual agreement with employers, she said. By educational attainment, university graduates recorded the highest unemployment rate last year at 4.53 percent, followed by high-school and vocational-school graduates at 3.06 percent. The jobless rate stood at 9.21 percent for those aged 15 to 19 and rose to 11.6 percent for the 20-to-24 group, reflecting first-time jobseekers still transitioning into the workforce.

Micron to pay US$1.8bn for fab siteKEEPING UP: The acquisition of a cleanroom in Taiwan would enable Micron to increase production in a market where demand continues to outpace supply, a Micron official said Micron Technology Inc has signed a letter of intent to buy a fabrication site in Taiwan from Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (力積電) for US$1.8 billion to expand its production of memory chips. Micron would take control of the P5 site in Miaoli County’s Tongluo Township (銅鑼) and plans to ramp up DRAM production in phases after the transaction closes in the second quarter, the company said in a statement on Saturday. The acquisition includes an existing 12 inch fab cleanroom of 27,871m2 and would further position Micron to address growing global demand for memory solutions, the company said. Micron expects the transaction to

Hon Hai, Japanese firm to form bus joint ventureBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterHon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), the world’s largest electronics manufacturing service provider, yesterday unveiled plans to form a new bus manufacturing joint venture with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp (MFTBC), with an aim to advance development of zero-emission buses in Japan. The new venture is expected to start operating in the second half of this year, the companies said in a joint statement. Photo courtesy of Hon Hai Technology GroupThe electric buses Model T and Model U, developed by Foxtron, would be the first models adopted by the new joint venture, it added. The latest move marks their effort to accelerate the development of competitive, zero-emission buses for high-quality public transportation, the two companies said. The new joint venture is to be headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, with Katsuto Kora designated as its chief executive officer, they said.

What to know about the 2026 GrammysBy Maria Sherman / AP, NEW YORKThe 68th annual Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the Grammys live; Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on-demand access the next day. “I am beyond thrilled to welcome Trevor Noah back to host the Grammys for his sixth, and sadly, final time,” Grammys’ executive producer Ben Winston said in a statement. He’s really helped define the show and make the show what it’s become over the last six years.”Who is nominated for the Grammys?

Mandarin Airlines chair Chen Ta-chun (陳大鈞) said the carrier’s Kaohsiung to Hualien route is operating at just 20 percent capacity, while the Taichung to Hualien route averages 30 percent. As for the Taipei to Hualien route operated by other airlines, the load factor stands at only 10 percent, he added. International routes generally require a load factor of 60 to 65 percent to break even, while domestic routes need about 92 to 94 percent, he said. Mandarin Airlines’ revenue comes from international routes, domestic routes and ground handling services. Based on domestic route revenue of about NT$3 billion, a 10 percent fare increase could generate an additional NT$300 million in revenue, it added.

Kaohsiung offers bear mugs to blood donorsGIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boostBy Hsu Li-chuan,Tang Shih-ming and Esme Yeh