Trump sneers at protocol as Netanyahu looks onTrump’s news conference with Benjamin Netanyahu touched on Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program and tensions with SyriaBy Robert Tait / The Guardian, WashingtonHosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the fifth time since returning to the White House 11 months ago, US President Donald Trump gave a performance on Monday that provided a microcosm of his customary disdain for foreign policy protocol. Almost in passing, Trump crowed about his relationship with another hardline leader, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who long derided Netanyahu and compared him to Hitler. He said Trump was the best friend among any US presidents Israel had ever had. “We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House,” Netanyahu said. “I hope he’s going to get along with Syria,” Trump said of Netanyahu.

A new space race is beginningCan we learn sustainability or will old ideas poison new skies? The Guardian EditorialDuring the Cold War’s space race, the Apollo moon missions were driven by the US need to prove its superiority. Washington wants space exploration to be led by the private sector, a wish anchored in the Artemis Accords. Little wonder, then, that Musk aims to float his space exploration firm SpaceX this year for US$1.5 trillion. Echoes of the novel’s debates — nuclear versus solar, terraforming versus preservation — can be found in the real space race today.

Very cold temperatures to continue until tomorrowStaff writer, with CNAThe strongest cold air mass to blanket the nation this winter began yesterday and would continue through tomorrow morning, with temperatures in low-lying areas potentially falling below 7°C, independent meteorologist Daniel Wu (吳德榮) said yesterday. The cold air is expected to weaken during the day tomorrow through Monday evening, before the weather turns clear and cold on Tuesday afternoon as another strong cold air mass moves southward, he said. A cold surge advisory took effect for New Taipei City, Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Yilan County and Kinmen County yesterday morning and was to remain in effect through the night amid a strong continental cold air mass, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. People in thick winter coats walk in Taipei yesterday. The lowest temperatures on Taiwan proper were in New Taipei City’s Shihmen District (石門) at 9.3°C and its Wugu District (五股) at 9.6°C.

Ho, who remains in detention, said he had done nothing wrong and could still appeal the verdict. National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu speaks at an event in Taipei on Oct. 21 last year. The NSC said the vote result sends the wrong message to the world and gives China an opportunity to divide Taiwan, carry out cognitive warfare and conduct “united front” infiltration. At this critical moment, the opposition voted down a proposal to condemn China’s military drills and instead attacked the national security and administrative teams, it said. This tramples on the efforts of the military and coast guard personnel who are on the front lines defending the country, it added.

The PLA simulated a blockade of Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday with live-fire exercises encircling Taiwan proper. The seal of the US Department of State is pictured in Washington in an undated photograph. “They’ve been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area,” he said after live-fire drills on Monday, touting his “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). The EU, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Canada voiced concerns days before the State Department. The US has been committed for decades to ensuring Taiwan’s self-defense, while staying ambiguous on whether its military would intervene in an invasion.

China to host South Korean leader amid tensions with JapanReuters, SEOUL and BEIJINGChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is to host South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on a state visit starting tomorrow, signaling Beijing’s intent to deepen ties with Seoul amidst strained relations with Tokyo over Taiwan. People hold Chinese and South Korean flags near Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30 last year. Photo: ReutersXi’s invitation to Lee for a state visit is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations, especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan, analysts said. About 28,500 US troops are based in South Korea to counter any threat from North Korea. South Korea earlier said it expects to address cooperation in areas including critical minerals, supply chain and green industries.

While the Constitutional Court can constitutionally have up to 15 justices, it currently only has eight, as opposition party legislators have twice blocked the appointment of seven new justices. Constitutional Court spokespeople address reporters at the court in Taipei today. Lin was indicted by the Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Office for contravening the Fire, Ammunition and Knives Control Act (槍砲彈藥刀械管制條例), and the Pingtung District Court ordered his detention on Dec. 29, 2022. The Pingtung District Court later rejected a request by Lin’s attorney to revoke the detention, as it only bore the attorney’s signature and not the defendant’s. In today’s judgement, the Constitutional Court ruled this decision unconstitutional and said it should be annulled, remanding the case to the Pingtung District Court.

Ko urges support for artificial reproduction bill during legislative visitBy Hou Chia-yu and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAFormer Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) today urged cross-party support for the party’s proposed amendments to the Artificial Reproduction Act (人工生殖法), which would legalize surrogacy as well as fertilization treatment for same-sex couples and single women. Photo: CNASpeaking at a news conference following a TPP meeting, Ko described the bill as a livelihood issue that should not be opposed for partisan reasons. "I am here to persuade the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the KMT to support the amendment," Ko said. The DPP has opposed the idea, leading to accusations from Chen that the party is putting politics above public welfare. The bill would extend eligibility to registered female same-sex couples and unmarried women to meet the needs of diverse family structures, she said.

Taiwan qualifies for 2027 Premier12 tournamentStaff writer, with CNATaiwan, the defending champions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament, have secured a spot in next year's edition following the release of the latest official world rankings. Team Taiwan celebrate after beating Japan 4-0 in the WBSC Premier12 Championship Game at the Tokyo Dome on Nov. 24, 2024. Photo: CNAThey had 5,112 points, second only to Japan (6,676 points) and followed by the US, South Korea and Venezuela. The top 12 countries or regions on the year-end list earn direct eligibility for next year's tournament. The WBSC said it would announce details regarding the second qualification tournament at a later date.

Legislative Yuan passes motions condemning premier, NSC headBy Liu Wan-lin and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Legislative Yuan today passed two motions under the opposition’s majority condemning Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and requesting that National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) step down. Lawmakers hold up signs at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei today. Ho’s actions seriously threatened national security and diplomacy, but Wu has since evaded legislative oversight, harming Taiwan’s constitutional system, the proposal said. In its proposal regarding Cho, the TPP said the premier should bear the full responsibility for the Cabinet’s overall performance. “National interests are always above party interests, and party interests should never supersede the people’s interests,” it said.

One injured assisting crew of stranded carrier off HualienStaff writer, with CNAA rescue helicopter airlifted five people from a tugboat off Hualien yesterday, after a crew member was injured while trying to assist a drifting bulk carrier with five Filipino and 12 Taiwanese crew members. A helicopter airlifts crew members from a tugboat that was caught in a cable entanglement accident while attempting to assist a bulk carrier that went adrift due to mechanical failure off the coast of Hualien yesterday. An airlift was deemed necessary after rough sea conditions buffeted the tugboat, preventing the use of small boats to evacuate the crew, rescuers said. The helicopter arrived at about 3pm and airlifted all five crew members, including the semi-conscious Yu, 48, who was transported to a hospital for treatment immediately after the aircraft landed in Hualien, rescuers said. All 17 crew members on board the Panama-registered cargo ship owned by Taiwan's China Steel Corp remain safe with no injuries reported, and the vessel is in stable condition, the coast guard patrol team said.

Police rule out bullying as motive in MRT stabbingBy Liu Ching-hou and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAA special police task force investigating a deadly stabbing that occurred last month in Taipei has preliminarily ruled out bullying as a motive, saying that the suspect acted alone and intentionally committed suicide following the spree. Following the attack, prosecutors and police formed a special task force to investigate financial flows, Chang’s planning and his social connections. The fall was not an accident, but a deliberate jump to avoid prosecution, the task force said in its initial findings yesterday. The wording of the message subtly suggested possible bullying at school and during military service, police said. While examining Chang’s military service record, police discovered that during his time as a volunteer serviceman, he repeatedly asked how he could be discharged without facing severe disciplinary action.

Cold surge advisory in effect through tomorrowStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued cold surge advisories for the cities and counties across Taiwan, warning that temperatures could fall below 10°C. An "orange" cold advisory took effect for Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City and County, Miaoli County and Yilan County this morning and would remain in effect through tomorrow night amid a strong continental cold air mass, the CWA said. Photo courtesy of the Central Weather AdministrationThe minimum ground-level temperature is these regions could fall below 6°C, or the temperature would remain below 12°C for 24 hours. Scattered showers are also possible in mountainous parts of Hsinchu and Miaoli, and central Taiwan, it forecast. The cold air is expected to weaken during the day Sunday through Monday evening, before the weather turns clear and cold on Tuesday afternoon as another strong cold air mass moves southward, Wu said.

US urges Beijing to show restraint after drillsStaff writer, with CNAWashington yesterday urged Beijing to pull back on its campaign to pressure Taiwan militarily following its latest live-fire military drills around the nation held earlier this week. "China's military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily," US Department of State principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. The flags of Taiwan and the US are displayed in Taipei on March 27, 2018. Photo: Tyrone Siu, Reuters"We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue," Pigott said. A number of other countries have also voiced concerns over the latest Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) drills, including the EU, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

The San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, right, looks to secure possession during their NBA game against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday. While Wembanyama played a crucial role in the comeback win, Champagnie provided the offensive spark, unleashing an incredible three-point barrage to finish with 36 points. Champagnie’s blitz included four threes in the fourth quarter as San Antonio drew level before pulling clear. The San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama grips his leg after sustaining an injury during their NBA game against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday. I’m fine.”The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell reacts during their NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday.