Visiting Japan delegation to meet president and premier
Visiting Japan delegation to meet president and premierBy Huang Ching-hsuan and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAA delegation from Japan’s House of Councillors led by lawmaker Hirofumi Takinami is to meet with President William Lai (賴清德) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) while visiting Taiwan from today to Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The delegation of five would also meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the ministry said. The lawmakers are part of the House of Councillors’ “TY Group,” a pro-Taiwan group initiated by Takinami and former house member Yumi Yoshikawa. The former state minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries was also instrumental to a change made earlier this year to Japan’s household registration system allowing Taiwanese to list “Taiwan” as their nationality. Takinami is leader of the household registration task force at the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council.
Source:Taipei Times
December 22, 2025 05:06 UTC
Nine killed in South Africa bar shooting
Nine killed in South Africa bar shootingAP, JOHANNESBURGNine people have died and at least 10 were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of yesterday, authorities said. It is the second mass shooting to happen in South Africa in three weeks. Bystanders gather at the scene of a mass shooting in Bekkersdal, South Africa, yesterday. Another shooting killed 16 people in the Johannesburg township of Soweto in 2022. On the same day, four people were killed in a mass shooting at a bar in another province.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:15 UTC
Events get extra security after Taipei knife attacks
Runners take part in the annual Taipei Marathon yesterday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei TimesFor large-scale events, security checkpoints and explosives detection measures would be introduced, the Taipei City Government said. The Taipei City Police Department’s Songshan Precinct said it has implemented multilayered security measures for events at the Taipei Arena, deploying armed patrol officers around the venue and at MRT Taipei Arena Station. Security at the annual Taipei Marathon was heavily increased yesterday, with almost 700 armed police officers deployed along the route. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei TimesThe Taipei Marathon drew about 28,000 runners yesterday, with about 9,000 competing in the full marathon, and 19,000 participating in the half-marathon, Chiang said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:15 UTC
MOTC to amend road rules
MOTC to amend road rulesBy Wu Liang-yi and Shelley Shan / Staff reportersThe Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has previewed proposed amendments to the Road and Traffic Safety Training Regulations (道路交通安全講習辦法) and Road Traffic Safety Rules (道路交通安全規則) to tackle problems caused by people driving without a license. Photo: Taipei TimesUnder the October amendments, unlicensed motorcyclists face fines ranging from NT$18,000 to NT$36,000, while unlicensed car drivers face fines of NT$36,000 to NT$60,000. The amendments to the regulations would require unlicensed drivers who contravene traffic regulations to take driving safety courses. The maximum number of days for driving safety courses would be extended to three days from two days, based on the amendments. In addition, in line with amendments promulgated by President William Lai (賴清德) last month, the ministry said it is revising pedestrian-related rules.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:15 UTC
Civic groups back top court’s decision
Civic groups back top court’s decision‘BACK ON TRACK’: The court’s decision was important in reaffirming the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive, the groups’ statement saidBy Lin Hsin-han / Staff reporterMore than 20 civic groups, 160 academics and 130 lawyers yesterday issued a joint statement supporting the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Friday that amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act (憲法訴訟法) passed last year were unconstitutional, saying it was the first step to restoring the nation’s constitutional democracy. A plaque for the Constitutional Court is pictured on its building in Taipei on Friday last week. Three justices from the eight-member court dissented and were not counted toward the total number of justices presiding over the case. The civic groups in the statement said that the first Constitutional Court judgement made this year has brought the court back to life, ending 328 days of paralysis since the amendments were passed. It draws a clear line between judicial and legislative powers, ensuring that the Legislative Yuan could not paralyze the Constitutional Court again, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:15 UTC
Motion to impeach Lai forthcoming: KMT
The KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) caucuses on Friday last week proposed impeaching Lai. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-chiang is pictured in an undated photograph. The provision allowing the Legislative Yuan to request the impeached person attend a hearing was passed when Lai was a legislator, not by the current legislature, Huang said. “I do not know if Lai would claim the provision is unconstitutional and that the Legislative Yuan has no authority to invite him,” Huang said. The KMT and TPP have acted with impunity since gaining the legislative majority last year, Chung said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Attack was more than a year in the making, police say
Twenty-seven-year-old suspect Chang Wen (張文) threw smoke grenades and stabbed people at Taipei Main Station and near Zhongshan MRT Station, killing three people and injuring at least 11. Chang jumped to his death from the sixth floor of the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi building while being pursued by police. Chang acted alone, police said after reviewing footage of his movements the days leading up the attack. In the three days leading up to the attack, Chang repeatedly traveled around Zhongshan District (中山), particularly around the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store, conducting what police believe was reconnaissance for the attack. Chang reportedly started renting an apartment off Gongyuan Road for about NT$10,000 per month starting in January, making payments on time.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Father, daughter doctors helped at scene of attack
METRO RAMPAGE: Father, daughter doctors helped at scene of attackBy Lin Chih-I and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writerAn off-duty emergency doctor and his daughter provided critical first aid during a deadly stabbing attack in Taipei on Friday. The attack by 27-year-old suspect Chang Wen (張文) unfolded in the early evening around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store near MRT Zhongshan Station. National Taiwan University Hospital emergency department doctor Yen Jui-sheng, center, speaks to reporters as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, left, looks on in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei TimesChang jumped from the roof of a department store while being chased by police and was pronounced dead on Friday night. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Yen said that saving lives is a doctor’s duty.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
10 KMT defendants sentenced for recall petition forgery
10 KMT defendants sentenced for recall petition forgeryStaff writer, with CNATen people affiliated with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) were given suspended sentences of 10 to 22 months by the Chiayi District Court on Friday for forging signatures in a drive to recall a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker. Chiayi District Court in Chiayi County is pictured in an undated photograph. Prosecutors raided the KMT’s Chiayi County branch on June 5 investigating allegations of faking signatures to recall DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷). Workers and volunteers at the KMT Chiayi County branch took it into their own hands to create the needed signatures, prosecutors said. The KMT unsuccessfully tried to mount recall campaigns against DPP lawmakers after civic groups pushed for recalls of KMT legislators, getting 31 of them to a popular vote.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Witnesses to Taipei stabbing attacks could experience trauma, psychologists warn
METRO RAMPAGE: Witnesses to Taipei stabbing attacks could experience trauma, psychologists warnBy Lin Chih-yi and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerPeople who saw a stabbing attack in Taipei on Friday, as well as people exposed to images of the incident, could experience trauma, highlighting the need for awareness and care, a psychologists’ association said yesterday. The suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文), carried out attacks at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan MRT Station on Friday, killing three people and leaving 11 injured. Police and emergency responders stand outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store following a deadly stabbing spree on Friday. When children piece together incomplete information on their own, misunderstandings can arise, potentially intensifying fear, he said. Parents should reassure children that fear is normal, discuss simple safety strategies and offer comfort based on family routines, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Africa Cup of Nations now to be every four years
Africa Cup of Nations now to be every four yearsReutersThe Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would in future be held every four years instead of every two years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Saturday. The surprise decision was made at the body’s executive committee meeting in Rabat and announced at a news conference by CAF president Patrice Motsepe. Motsepe announced the launch of an African Nations League annually from 2029 to fill the gap, following the example of Europe which holds its championship every four years. “Historically the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us, but now we will get financial resources every year,” he said. This year’s tournament in Morocco was moved back six months when FIFA introduced a new-look Club World Cup, which was hosted in the US in June and July.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Lishan lights Taiwan’s highest Christmas trees
Lishan lights Taiwan’s highest Christmas treesStaff writer, with CNAThe nation’s two highest Christmas trees, situated at 1,956 meters above sea level in Taichung’s Lishan (梨山), were lit last night to mark the winter solstice, accompanied by a concert, said the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters. The illuminated 28-meter-tall cedar trees -- dubbed the “Christmas Trees above the Clouds” -- are to light up with meteor-shower-like lights for three minutes every half hour each night through Jan. 25, 2026, creating what organizers described as an “enchanting alpine atmosphere,” said the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters. Two Christmas trees are pictured at 1,956 meters above sea level in Taichung’s Lishan last night. Photo courtesy of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area HeadquartersThe installations are part of the 2025 Lishan-Guguan Light Art Festival, which is being held for its fifth winter season, it said. The Guguan part of the festival runs from Nov. 29 to Jan. 11, 2026, featuring hot springs and walkways, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Arsenal stay top despite Man City win
Yet, Pep Guardiola was still far from satisfied as he demanded improvements if City are to win a seventh Premier League title under his tenure. Arne Slot introduced the most expensive Premier League player of all time at the break. Hugo Ekitike headed in his fifth goal in three league games to double Liverpool’s lead. Chelsea have won just once in their last five league games to see ambitions of a title challenge wilt. Wolves remain without a league win this season and on course to enter the record books as the worst side in Premier League history after a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: CIB, police probe online threats in wake of attack
METRO RAMPAGE: CIB, police probe online threats in wake of attackPREVENTING COPYCATS: Police have arrested three people for posts considered public threats, while the CIB urged the public to report threatening posts they findBy Yao Yueh-hung / Staff reporter, with CNAThe Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday said it was coordinating with police agencies to establish a national task force to curb the spread of violent rhetoric and threats online following a mass stabbing incident in Taipei on Friday. Twenty posts or comments on social media and online forums have been flagged for containing violent threats or suggesting that an indiscriminate attack was forthcoming. The task force would quickly investigate and pursue legal action against those making violent threats, inciting violence or claiming they would carry out attacks, the bureau said. The CIB urged people to not share, endorse or treat as jokes suspicious posts or comments advocating violence to avoid fueling panic or copycat behavior. Prosecutors did not accept Chen’s explanation and determined his actions constituted a threat to public safety, with substantial criminal suspicion.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Mbappe equals Ronaldo record in Madrid’s win
Mbappe equals Ronaldo record in Madrid’s winReuters, MADRIDKylian Mbappe on Saturday equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid with a late penalty in his side’s 2-0 home win over Sevilla in Spanish La Liga, with the French forward celebrating his 27th birthday in style. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, vies for the ball against Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez during their La Liga match in Madrid on Saturday. Mbappe sent a snap shot wide, as the hosts struggled to find a clear-cut chance, and Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume put another strike wide for the visitors before Real went in front seven minutes before the break. Mbappe sent an effort straight at the keeper and dragged another shot wide, while at the other end Courtois twice denied Alexis Sanchez and Romero with Real all too easy to open up at the back. Real were hanging on for the win with Mbappe still laboring to find the net when Juanlu Sanchez fouled Rodrygo in the box, and the birthday boy stepped up to score before pulling out Ronaldo’s celebration.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC