Taiwan-India cooperation for climate stability
Taiwan-India cooperation for climate stabilityBy Sutandra SinghaClimate change is a multiplier of conflict, and governance gaps are a multiplier of climate risk. These efforts illustrate how effective institutions reduce climate impacts and preserve social stability. Deepening India-Taiwan cooperation offers a chance to jointly advance institutional solutions for peace and climate stability. Cooperation on peace and climate is a pathway that could be insulated from political sensitivities through diplomatic channels. By explicitly linking climate governance with social stability, India and Taiwan could demonstrate how democratic partnerships contribute to peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 16:22 UTC
Penghu fireworks festival to feature ‘Dragon Ball Z’
Penghu fireworks festival to feature ‘Dragon Ball Z’By Liu Yu-ching and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Penghu County Government today announced the schedule for next summer’s international fireworks festival, revealing a collaboration with the classic Japanese anime franchise Dragon Ball Z. The festival is to kick off with two trial shows on April 20 and 27, each featuring a 10-minute fireworks display, followed by the official opening on May 4. A poster for next year's Penghu International Fireworks Festival featuring Dragon Ball Z is pictured in an image released today. The opening and closing events on May 4 and Aug. 25 would feature 12-minute fireworks displays accompanied by 10-minute drone light shows, while other dates would offer a 10-minute fireworks and 10-minute drone performance. The partnership with Dragon Ball Z marks a first for Penghu’s fireworks festival.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 08:55 UTC
Tigerair launches Tainan-Okinawa flight
Tigerair launches Tainan-Okinawa flightStaff writer, with CNATaiwanese airline Tigerair Taiwan yesterday launched its new Tainan-Okinawa route, which is to make round trips every Thursday and Sunday. Attending the launch ceremony, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) welcomed travelers arriving in the city and presented them with a souvenir. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, center, poses with officials at the launch of Tigerair Taiwan's new Tainan-Okinawa route yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Tainan City GovernmentWith the launch of the Tainan-Kumamoto route on Tuesday, operating flights every Tuesday and Friday, Tainan City Government said the routes between Tainan and southwestern Japan would boost bilateral travel, trade and cultural exchanges. The airline's Kaohsiung-Kumamoto route was launched on Tuesday and is scheduled to fly every Tuesday and Friday, Tigerair Taiwan said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 08:43 UTC
Lai impeachment vote set for May 19
Lai impeachment vote set for May 19By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAOpposition lawmakers today finalized plans for impeachment proceedings against President William Lai (賴清德), including appearances by the president before the legislature next month and in May before a vote on May 19. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmakers voted in the majority to pass the two separate motions. Opposition lawmakers on Friday last week announce plans to initiate impeachment proceedings against President William Lai outside the legislature in Taipei. As Lai has violated constitutional order, the legislature must hold him responsible through impeachment procedures, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said. The impeachment motion is “purely political infighting,” as the opposition knows it does not control the necessary two-thirds of the legislature needed to pass the impeachment case, she said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 08:12 UTC
Cho to countersign pension bill, seek constitutional judgement
Cho to countersign pension bill, seek constitutional judgementBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAThe Executive Yuan is to countersign bills passed earlier this month reversing cuts to civil servants’ pensions, after which it would immediately file a petition for a constitutional judgement, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said today. The legislature on Dec. 12 passed amendments suspending cuts to civil servants’ pensions, reversing a fiscal reform that aimed to reduce the government deficit. With the Constitutional Court resuming operations, the Executive Yuan would immediately seek a constitutional interpretation, Cho said. Cho said that he hopes a final ruling could be reached through constitutional procedures and that constitutional dignity would be upheld. The power to refuse to countersign is a constitutional authority vested in the premier, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 07:55 UTC
Taipei MRT, bus station to hold security drills at 1pm
Taipei MRT, bus station to hold security drills at 1pmBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Taipei Metro is to hold security drills at Taipei City Hall MRT Station and Taipei City Hall Bus Station starting at 1pm today, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (TRTC) said. Passengers alight at Taipei City Hall MRT Station in an undated photograph. First, drills involving Molotov cocktails are to be held at 1pm on the platform of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, it said. Next, responders would simulate an indiscriminate attack in front of the ticket counter at Taipei City Hall Bus Station, it said. Finally, an emergency response drill for mass casualties is to be conducted on the sidewalk outside Exit 2 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 06:18 UTC
Cabinet advances bill scrutinizing officials’ travel to China
Cabinet advances bill scrutinizing officials’ travel to ChinaBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAThe Executive Yuan today approved amendments to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) that would require legislators to obtain prior approval before traveling to China. Photo: BloombergThe amendments would also mandate elected public officials to publicly disclose all contacts with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chinese government, military, administrative or other politically affiliated agencies during their trips. The changes aim to counter the CCP’s intensified “united front” efforts and infiltration targeting Taiwan, thereby safeguarding national security and stability, the Cabinet said. Existing regulations on public servants' travel to China are insufficient, especially for those involved in national security or who have access to classified information, it said. Information about contacts between elected public officials and China also lacks transparency, limiting public oversight, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 05:58 UTC
Snow falls on Yushan as cold air mass arrives
Snow falls on Yushan as cold air mass arrivesStaff writer, with CNASnow fell on Yushan this morning as a continental cold air mass sent temperatures below freezing on Taiwan's tallest mountain, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Snow covers Yushan Weather Station this morning. Photo courtesy of the Central Weather AdministrationAs of 7:42am, the lowest temperature recorded across Taiwan was minus-5.5°C at Yushan's Fengkou observatory and minus-4.7°C at the Yushan observatory, CWA data showed. The CWA issued cold surge advisories for areas in northern Taiwan and Kinmen County early this morning. Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County and Kinmen were placed under a "yellow" alert, indicating that temperatures may fall below 10°C.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 04:01 UTC
KMT Tainan mayoral nominee brandishes prop gun at rally
KMT Tainan mayoral nominee brandishes prop gun at rallyStaff writer, with CNAChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介), a nominee for next year's Tainan mayoral election, was presented with a "prop handgun" that he proceeded to brandish during a campaign event on yesterday. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh, center, holds up a prop gun at a rally in Tainan yesterday. A KMT official later assured reporters that the handgun was a "toy" and intended for use as a "prop." He was then elected to the legislature last year on the KMT party list. With Huang set to leave office after two terms, the DPP has yet to name its nominee for next year.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2025 03:11 UTC
SPEAK UP: Google unveils 2025 most-searched charts (2/2) 谷歌2025年熱搜榜揭曉（下）
SPEAK UP: Google unveils 2025 most-searched charts (2/2) 谷歌2025年熱搜榜揭曉（下）A: Compared to Taiwanese, what did Americans search for most in 2025? Animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters. 1 are: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, iPhone 17, Labubu doll, animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters and political activist Charlie Kirk’s assasination. A: The only term to appear on both the Taiwanese and US charts is tariffs. A: 跟台灣人相比，美國人都在搜尋什麼？B: 第10到6名是：關稅、FIFA俱樂部世界盃、政府關閉、DeepSeek語言模型、候任紐約市長佐蘭曼達尼。A: 曼達尼元旦即將就任，前5名是什麼？B: 第5到1名是：《大而美法案》、iPhone 17、拉布布玩偶、動畫片《KPop獵魔女團》、政治活動家查理柯克遇刺。A: 看來台、美熱搜榜唯一的共同議題就是－－關稅！（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 21:48 UTC
Hawaii stuns Cal in 35-31 comeback in Hawaii Bowl
Hawaii stuns Cal in 35-31 comeback in Hawaii BowlAP, HONOLULUBackup quarterback Luke Weaver on Wednesday night threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, as the University of Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 comeback victory over the University of California, Berkeley in a thrilling Hawaii Bowl. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in range for a tying field goal, coach Timmy Chang took a shot at the end zone, and Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch. Alejado finished 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawaii rally from an early 21-0 deficit. Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter. Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White with 7:19 left gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 20:30 UTC
Ecumenical gathering
METRO RAMPAGE: Man died trying to stop Taipei stabbing suspectHORROR STORIES: One victim recounted not realizing they had been stabbed and seeing people bleeding, while another recalled breaking down in tears after fleeing A man on Friday died after he tried to fight the knife-wielding suspect who went on a stabbing spree near two of Taipei’s busiest metro stations, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. The 57-year-old man, identified by his family name, Yu (余), encountered the suspect at Exit M7 of Taipei Main Station and immediately tried to stop him, but was fatally wounded and later died, Chiang said, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” Yu’s family would receive at least NT$5 million (US$158,584) in compensation through the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp’s (TRTC) insurance coverage, he said after convening an emergency security response meeting yesterday morning.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 18:53 UTC
Low NHI floor helped 300,000: HPA
Low NHI floor helped 300,000: HPABy Hou Chia-yu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe lowering of the eligibility age floor for National Health Insurance (NHI)-funded preventive examinations for adults has benefited 300,000 young adults this year, allowing them to seek care earlier to manage chronic disease, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said on Thursday last week. As of last month, the agency had recorded 300,000 people aged 30 to 39 who have conducted their first-ever preventive examination, it said. The government hopes to discover symptoms and thus intervene sooner to reduce the risk of disease, the agency said. Regular checkups can help people identify symptoms of chronic illnesses early, even when the body appears healthy, Shen said. More than 7,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide offer such examinations, and people can search for information and schedule appointments online, Shen said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 17:23 UTC
Woman ordered to pay damages for phone scam
Woman ordered to pay damages for phone scamStaff writer, with CNAA woman has been ordered by the Chiayi District Court to pay NT$13.97 million (US$443,774) in civil damages for selling her mobile phone number to scammers who used it to defraud the man who filed suit. Photo: APChuang’s true identity and age are unknown, and it is unclear how the two met, whether Liao knew he was a scammer or why she sold the phone number, which she did for NT$300. In July, she was sentenced to 50 days detention, which could be converted to a fine at a rate of NT$1,000 per day. Huang later filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages. The information released by the Chiayi court did not mention further details about Chuang or whether the fraud ring has been dismantled.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 17:23 UTC
Labor ministry adjusts overtime policy
Labor ministry adjusts overtime policyBETTER BALANCE: The biggest obstacle preventing staff from taking parental leave is the administrative procedures involved, while overtime rules risk overworking othersBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporter, with CNAThe Ministry of Labor yesterday said that it has decided not to relax regulations governing workers’ overtime hours when it implements flexible parental leave next month, adding that it would instead focus on helping businesses better manage their workforce by ensuring that employers reasonably allocate overtime hours, clarify leave arrangements and establish a talent pool. As part of the policy’s supporting measures, the ministry had initially planned to allow employers to assign workers who have reached the maximum allowable overtime hours to substitute for employees taking emergency parental leave. Meanwhile, the regulations already give employers adequate flexibility to allocate overtime hours,” Huang said. Most only know that employees cannot work more than 12 hours per day and overtime hours cannot exceed 46 hours,” she said. “Employers know that, under the new policy, workers can request parental leave five days in advance so that substitutes can be arranged.
Source:Taipei Times
December 25, 2025 17:23 UTC