Restaurant review: Hoi An Banh Mi: Fresh Vietnamese flavors from New Taipei City
From left, the curry chicken, beef meatball and original banh mi at Hoi An Banh Mi. Owner Huang holds the curry chicken banh mi at Hoi An Banh Mi. From left, the curry chicken banh mi and the beef meatball banh mi. Photo: Hollie Younger, Taipei TimesService with a smile is a given here. Photo: Hollie Younger, Taipei Times
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Caracas frees 99 political prisoners on Christmas
Caracas frees 99 political prisoners on ChristmasAFP, CARACASVenezuela released 99 prisoners on Christmas, with the government calling it a goodwill gesture, as it assesses arrests made after President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election. A man holds a candle and a sign asking for the release of his brother, during a vigil demanding freedom for political prisoners in Caracas on Aug. 8 last year. In Venezuela, there are at least 902 political prisoners, human rights organization Foro Penal said. The ministry’s statement confirmed an earlier report about the Christmas Day releases from the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, an advocacy group made up of rights activists and relatives of political prisoners. Caracas denies the allegations, saying Washington is seeking to overthrow Maduro and seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Thailand escalating strikes: Cambodia
Thailand escalating strikes: CambodiaFIGHTING CONTINUES: Thai military dropped 40 bombs on border areas, Cambodia said, while Bangkok said Phnom Penh launched heavy attacks and damaged homesAFP, PHNOM PENHCambodia yesterday accused Thailand of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, even as officials from the two countries attend a multi-day meeting aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes. The neighbors’ long-standing border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce and killing more than 40 people, according to official counts. Photo: ReutersHowever, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said Thailand’s military carried out a heavy bombardment of disputed border areas in Banteay Meanchey Province yesterday morning. The two countries blame each other for instigating the fresh fighting, which has spread to nearly every province along their border. The US, China and Malaysia brokered a truce to end five days of deadly clashes in July, but the ceasefire was short-lived.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
MediaTek developing car tech
MediaTek aims to shape the future of intelligent mobility and enable rapid deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems across global markets through its partnership with Denso, the company said. The partnership with Denso is the first ASIC project from an auto client, based on the announcements made by MediaTek so far. MediaTek has said it is developing a chip for a cloud service provider (CSP), the first ASIC project secured by the company. MediaTek expected the company’s first ASIC project to generate US$1 billion in revenue next year and to contribute billions of US dollars in 2027, making the data center ASICs one of the company’s incremental revenue contributors. Other ASIC projects should contribute revenue from 2028 and beyond, MediaTek told investors.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Japanese government increasing high-tech investment
Japanese government increasing high-tech investmentBloombergJapan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is set to nearly quadruple its budget for supporting cutting-edge semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) development to about ￥1.23 trillion (US$7.9 billion) for the fiscal year starting in April. After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet signed off on it yesterday, the government’s budget plan would be discussed in parliament in the new year. For semiconductors, the ministry has earmarked ￥150 billion for state-backed chip venture Rapidus Corp, bringing cumulative government investment in the venture to ￥250 billion. For AI, ￥387.3 billion is budgeted for the development of domestic foundation AI models, strengthening data infrastructure and “physical AI” where AI controls robots and machinery. Special bonds of ￥1.78 trillion will be issued to help state-backed Nippon Export and Investment Insurance support Japanese investment into the US as part of the two countries’ trade agreement.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
AI still buoying economy against uncertainty
Overall manufacturing conditions improved as demand for AI, high-performance computing and cloud services continued to underpin orders, said Gordon Sun (孫明德), director of TIER’s Economic Forecasting Center. Taiwan Institute of Economic Research’s Economic Forecasting Center Director Gordon Sun, second left, attends a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Institute of Economic ResearchHe cautioned that non-AI industries remain under pressure from weak global demand and intense competition from overseas. Manufacturers have gradually shaken off tariff-related disruptions and policy uncertainty this quarter, Sun said, adding that optimism for next year is building. Wholesalers benefited from stronger restocking activity by downstream clients, a weaker New Taiwan dollar and improving overseas demand, TIER said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Court convicts ex-Malaysian PM in 1MDB scandal
Court convicts ex-Malaysian PM in 1MDB scandal‘NO COUNTRY BUMPKIN’: The judge rejected arguments that former prime minister Najib Razak was an unwitting victim, saying Najib took steps to protect his positionAP, PUTRAJAYA, MalaysiaImprisoned former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was yesterday convicted, following a corruption trial tied to multibillion-dollar looting of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund. Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, center, is escorted by prison officers at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Malaysia on Oct. 30 last year. Najib is serving a prison sentence after being convicted in an earlier case linked to the 1MDB scandal, which led to his government’s defeat in 2018. He chaired its advisory board and held veto power as minister of finance while serving as prime minister. The scandal also hit Wall Street, with Goldman Sachs facing billions in fines for its role in raising money for 1MDB.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Taiwan’s Hsu signs for Hawks
Taiwan’s Hsu signs for HawksTHREE-YEAR DEAL: The Hawks said that Hsu Jo-hsi’s addition to the team was a ‘very good Christmas gift’ and they are sure they can help him realize his potentialStaff writer, with CNATaiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-hsi has joined the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) champions, on a three-year contract. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks chief baseball officer Kenji Johjima, left, presents Hsu Jo-hsi with a cap at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Hsu declared international free agency in late October and was pursued by several teams in both the NPB and Major League Baseball. At yesterday’s news conference, Hsu said that during a visit to the Hawks’ facilities, he was deeply impressed by the organization’s comprehensive resources. Hawks chief baseball officer Kenji Johjima said that Hsu would be given ample time to adjust to his new environment during his first season and would not be rushed into heavy usage.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Australia lead England by 46 after 20 wickets fall
Australia lead England by 46 after 20 wickets fallAFP, MELBOURNEAn astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic first day of the fourth Ashes Test yesterday, with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge. England’s Gus Atkinson, left, attempts a ramp shot past Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia yesterday. Australia were 4-0 at the close with Boland on 4, 46 ahead, with Head yet to face a ball. Zak Crawley was taken in the slips by Steve Smith off Starc four balls later, then Joe Root edged Neser to Carey to put England into free fall. Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja began to stabilize the innings before Tongue struck again to bowl the Australia captain for 9 and leave England in charge.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
Spurs extend their domination of Thunder
Spurs extend their domination of ThunderAFP, NEW YORKReigning champions Oklahoma City have the NBA’s best record, but they cannot beat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench on Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory. “It feels great getting another victory.”Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, top, dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their NBA game in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Thursday. Photo: Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesAfter roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs. Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets, top, dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. The Spurs improved to 23-7, second in the Western Conference behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:24 UTC
The bad aspects of the climate situation in 2025
The bad aspects of the climate situation in 2025Reducing pollutants might be generating bigger storms and central bank policies might be harming long-term investments in renewablesBy David Fickling / Bloomberg OpinionIt might have seemed that every piece of bad news for the global climate and energy transition this year had some sort of connection to US President Donald Trump. With fewer of them about, more sunlight reaches the ground to warm the planet and storms can become more violent. The International Energy Agency in September downgraded its estimate for potential 2030 green hydrogen capacity by about one-quarter to 37 million tonnes. ‧ Indian Coal Is Back: After years in the doldrums, India’s coal power sector looked to be in much more rude health. Do not celebrate too soon: The Indian government is planning to increase its coal generation fleet by nearly 50 percent by 2035.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC
The positive climate news that you might have missed
The positive climate news that you might have missedBy David Fickling / Bloomberg OpinionSo much climate news comes out in any given week that it can be hard to keep up with it all. Much is gloomy, but there are positive developments all the time — so many, in fact, that it is easy to miss some of the things that have been happening. In fact, it is a testament to the monumental achievement so far and an example the rest of the world should now emulate. We argued that the slowdown was temporary, with performance this year likely to far outstrip predictions of 3.2 million sales. David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change and energy.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC
The WHO v Taiwan’s lifesavers
The WHO v Taiwan’s lifesaversBy Noa WynnEarthquakes do not care about borders. The whole point of having international health institutions is that disease and disaster are universal problems that require universal solutions. Chinese rescue teams crossed the border, along with teams from India, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. Taiwan’s team, with everything needed to pull survivors from rubble and decades of earthquake response experience, got sent home because letting them in would have irritated Beijing. The distance excuse was nonsense, given that Nepal accepted rescue teams from countries much farther away, but the real reason was obvious enough.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC
Kao’s court ruling shows questionable judgement
Moreover, the court characterized assistant fees as essentially a subsidy for legislators to be “flexibly allocated” at their discretion, so it did not constitute corruption. Therefore, I concluded, they ruled that the only offense committed was causing a public official to make false entries in public documents. Exasperated, my neighbor asked that if the money is for legislators anyway, why not just be open about it all? After the High Court’s ruling, which reinterpreted the purpose of assistant fees, the public realized what game was being played. The very same assistant budget system that was originally designed to safeguard public funds has now been redefined by the interpretation of a few individual judges.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC
EDITORIAL: Look out for family to stop tragedy
EDITORIAL: Look out for family to stop tragedyAs the nation reels from the knife attack in Taipei last week, the way society moves on from the incident could have lasting consequences for public safety and social cohesion. After the tragedy, parent-child specialist WuChuan-yu (吳娟瑜) urged families to provide emotional support and help children and relatives establish a sense of self-worth and a place in the family. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) called for stronger social safety nets, saying the attack highlighted the anxiety present in Taiwanese society. They cannot explain why a 27-year-old man meticulously planned a violent attack for more than a year, stockpiling knives, smoke grenades and other materials. Public safety is inseparable from social care, and attention must extend beyond the moment of crisis.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC