Huang Kuo-chang: from Sunflower to saboteurBy John ChengDuring the Sunflower movement, Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), who is now chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), gave voice to a generation’s anger toward opaque power, procedural abuse and backroom deals. Huang still speaks the language of accountability, invokes constitutional purity and escalates conflict in a show of moral seriousness. It was at that moment that many veterans of the Sunflower movement publicly broke with Huang — not because they opposed reform, but because that goal had been replaced by attrition. The Sunflower movement did not seek to paralyze government; it sought to restore limits on it. The Sunflower movement taught Taiwan that democracy is worth defending even when it is slow, frustrating and imperfect.

Taiwan’s defense planners have repeatedly emphasized the need to prioritize asymmetric warfare. Missile defense systems are costly, technologically demanding and inherently vulnerable to saturation. Comparisons with other missile defense systems, either existing or planned, further underscore the problem. Japan’s missile defense system offers yet another cautionary case. Once exhausted, even the most advanced missile defense system becomes an expensive irrelevance.

The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group said at least 648 people had died in the protests by Monday, while estimating the toll could be as high as 6,000. It said the “risk of mass and extrajudicial executions of protesters is extremely serious.”People drive past a billboard reading “Iran is our homeland” at Enghelab Square in Tehran yesterday. The NetBlocks group, which monitors global Internet connectivity, yesterday said that a nationwide Internet shutdown had entered its fifth day. Connecting Iran to the Internet via Elon Musk’s service would not be easy. The military is also working to jam Starlink and is hunting down any users, said Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights and security at Internet human rights group Miaan Group.

Couple indicted over NT$5.16bn Indonesia remittance schemeStaff writer, with CNAA Taiwanese labor broker and his Indonesian wife have been indicted for allegedly running an underground Taiwan-Indonesia remittance service for more than a decade, handling more than NT$5.16 billion (US$163 million) in transfers and earning at least NT$26.66 million in fees. Chuang partnered with multiple Southeast Asian grocery stores in Taiwan that were unaware of the scheme to solicit customers who wanted to remit money to Indonesia, prosecutors said. After receiving the deposits, Huang would use online banking to transfer the equivalent amount in rupiah to recipients in Indonesia from her account at Bank Central Asia, a private Indonesian bank, prosecutors said. From 2020, the operation switched to using an account opened under the name of one of Chuang's companies at Bank Rakyat Indonesia, they said. The grocery stores, in turn, passed on most of the profits — NT$80 per regular transfer and NT$120 per express transfer — to Chuang's companies, it said.

MOFA raises Iran travel advisoryBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA and AFPThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has raised its travel advisory for Iran, ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) told a news conference in Taipei today, adding that all five Taiwanese nationals in Iran are safe. Taiwan has updated its travel advisory for Iran, raising the risk to “Level 4: Red — leave as soon as possible,” and would continue to update information and adjust advisories as the situation develops, he said. Protests erupted across Iran 17 days ago, initially due to economic hardships, but since evolving into demonstrations against Iran’s theocratic government, which was established after the 1979 revolution. As the conflict shows no signs of slowing, the government is urging the public not to travel to Iran and has advised those already there to remain alert, Hsiao said. The ministry is also maintaining contact with Taiwanese nationals in Iran through expatriate networks, while the Dubai representative office would take all necessary steps to ensure their continued safety, he said.

US, Taiwan near deal to lower tariffs, boost TSMC investment: reportBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe US and Taiwan have reached a broad consensus on their trade deal and further details would be announced after a final wrap-up meeting, the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said today. The New York Times yesterday reported that the two nations are nearing a trade deal to reduce Taiwan’s tariff rate to 15 percent and commit Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) to building at least five more facilities in the US. Taiwan and the US are scheduling a final wrap-up meeting, after which they would publicly announce the details of the deal, the office said. Taiwan earlier concluded trade discussions with the Office of the US Trade Representative, then continued to discuss Section 232 tariffs and TSMC’s investment plans with the US Department of Commerce, the New York Times said. Officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration have said companies that invest in the US would not be subject to Section 232 tariffs, but it is unclear exactly how the arrangement would work, it said.

KMT, TPP again block special defense, central government budgetsBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) today once again used their majority to block the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.49 billion) special defense budget and central government budget from proceeding through the legislative process. The Executive Yuan on Nov. 27 last year approved a NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget to strengthen Taiwan’s defense and asymmetric warfare capabilities and subsequently submitted it to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Members of the legislature’s Procedure Committee today vote not to place the special defense budget and fiscal planning bill on the agenda for Friday’s Legislative Yuan plenary session. The KMT and TPP hope that the Legislative Yuan on Friday will consider funding for new projects and urgent livelihood-related budgets, Lo said. The entire government budget has been sitting with the legislature since August, and now the special defense budget is not even being reviewed, Shen added.

Air pollution warning issued for sensitive groupsStaff writer, with CNAContinental cold air masses are to bring overseas pollutants that would result in an “orange” air quality alert for Taiwan, with sensitive groups advised to avoid outdoor activities, the Ministry of Environment said today. As the continental cold air masses move south, the pollutants they bring would affect Taiwan's air quality, pushing it to mostly moderate or orange alert levels, it said. Air quality in central and northern Taiwan is expected to remain poor until tomorrow afternoon, before improving, while orange alerts in southern Taiwan could persist through Saturday, it said. Conditions in southern Taiwan are forecast to improve on Sunday as a northeast monsoon strengthens and overseas pollution subsides, the ministry said. As northeasterly winds shift southward, air quality in most regions is expected to reach orange alert levels, the ministry added.

Yunlin fire burns 5 hectares in 26 hoursStaff writer, with CNAA forest fire that yesterday broke out in Yunlin County's Gukeng Township (古坑) and had destroyed an estimated 5 hectares of woodland after having burned for more than 26 hours was today gradually being brought under control, officials said. Smoke rises from a fire in Yunlin County yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Yunlin County Fire DepartmentThe fire was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, within a tract of primary forest, hotel staff said. The blaze was briefly brought under control yesterday afternoon, and an application was made to the National Fire Agency for helicopter support, the fire department said. The fire has gradually come under control, officials said.

Lai Jui-lung wins DPP primary for Kaohsiung mayoral raceBy Chen Cheng-yu and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAThe Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) today announced the results of its Kaohsiung mayoral primary, with DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) emerging as the winner among four contenders in a head-to-head opinion poll against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩). The party's primaries for Kaohsiung mayor, Tainan mayor and Chiayi County commissioner began yesterday and are to end on Saturday. The primary was merely a stage in the process, not a contest of personal victory or defeat, Lai Jui-lung wrote on Facebook. Speaking to reporters at noon, Chiu said that she accepted the primary result and had congratulated Lai Jui-lung. Ko, who has secured the KMT’s nomination for the Kaohsiung mayoral race, also congratulated Lai Jui-lung on his victory.

The delegation yesterday held meetings in Washington with officials from the US National Security Council (NSC) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang yesterday walks out of the building that houses the American Institute in Taiwan's Washington headquarters. Unity would be a win-win outcome for the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan and the TPP, the source added. The US assisted in planning the delegation’s itinerary, including arranging meetings with key officials from the US National Security Council, the US Department of State and several defense-related agencies, the source said. While countries in the first island chain are stepping up national defense efforts, there would be severe consequences if Taiwan lagged behind, the source said.

Minister honors diplomat who died on the job in IndiaStaff writer, with CNAMinister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) yesterday commended late deputy representative to India Hsieh Bor-huei (謝柏輝), who on Dec. 12 last year passed away in New Delhi after losing consciousness at a public event. The commendations honored the late diplomat's decades-long service to Taiwan and its diplomatic mission, Lin said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, third left, gives late deputy representative to India Hsieh Bor-huei's family three medals to honor him in Tainan yesterday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hsieh's family have not disclosed the cause of death, citing privacy reasons. Hsieh played an important role in facilitating Taiwan's opening of a Mumbai office in late 2024, Lin said.

Thunder beat the Heat as Timberwolves edge SpursAFP, WASHINGTONReigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Photo: APJalen Williams scored 18 points, while Chet Holmgren added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Thunder. Andrew Wiggins led the Heat (20-19) with 23 points. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 25 points. Orlando’s Desmond Bane scored 27 points as the Magic rallied in the fourth quarter to beat New Orleans 128-118.

Red Devils crash out of FA Cup, Gunners advanceAFP, MANCHESTER, EnglandManchester United on Sunday crashed out of the FA Cup with a meek 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion as Gabriel Martinelli’s hat-trick fired Arsenal to a 4-1 win at Portsmouth to reach the fourth round. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck, front right, scores against Manchester United in their FA Cup third-round match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Sunday. Photo: AFPThe roles were reversed midway through the second half as Welbeck lashed into the top corner against his former club. United are to play only 40 games this season after exiting both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle — their lowest number since 1915. Leeds United needed a second-half fightback to beat Derby County 3-1 and book their place in the fourth round.

‘Up to Xi’ how to handle Taiwan, but Venezuela no precedent: TrumpUS President Donald Trump said "it’s up to" Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) what China does on Taiwan, but that he would be "very unhappy" with a change in the "status quo," the New York Times said in an interview published yesterday. Xi "considers it to be a part of China, and that’s up to him what he’s going to be doing," Trump told the newspaper on Wednesday. "But I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that," he added. "I hope he doesn’t do that." Trump made the comments in