More widely, a fracturing multilateral order is delivering a more unstable and threatening world. In Sudan, a relentless and brutal civil war continues to be stoked by outside powers in pursuit of their own interests. Across Europe, fear of conflict is more acute than at any point since the Cold War tensions of the 1980s. As Tillich observed in a radio broadcast during World War II: “Love breaks out of the prison of individualism and nationalist stupidity. Now, as then, the world needs a message of hope in the darkness.

Illustration: Mountain PeopleThe contradiction was fatal: If the Ukraine war ended with a peace deal, it would be hard to sustain this economic pump-priming. Part of the capital Trump needs to consolidate his vision of a G2 world structured around the Washington-Beijing axis is now contractually obligated to flow from Europe westward. Trump’s acquiescence to Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has triggered a flood of Chinese exports to the EU. In the G2 world, the imagined global village is a gladiatorial arena where the EU and the UK now wander aimlessly. A new, harder, colder world order has been erected on the grave of European ambition.

Bank of Japan hikes benchmark rateINFLATION CONSIDERATION: The BOJ governor said that it would ‘keep making appropriate decisions’ and would adjust depending on the economy and prices The Bank of Japan (BOJ) yesterday raised its benchmark interest rate to the highest in 30 years and said more increases are in the pipeline if conditions allow, in a sign of growing conviction that it can attain the stable inflation target it has pursued for more than a decade. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda’s policy board increased the rate by 0.2 percentage points to 0.75 percent, in a unanimous decision, the bank said in a statement. The central bank cited the rising likelihood of its economic outlook being realized. The rate change was expected by all 50 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

ASEAN needs to find its way soonBy Dion Maulana PrasetyaTensions between Japan and China over Taiwan have again exposed the fragility of East Asia’s security architecture. Historically, ASEAN has functioned as a stabilizing buffer in East Asia, providing inclusive platforms where rival powers could engage without confrontation. Forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit have helped institutionalize dialogue, manage tensions and prevent disputes from escalating into open conflict. The stability of East Asia depends less on declarations of strength than on the willingness of all actors to manage their differences responsibly. Without self-constraint, the region risks sliding from managed competition into a cycle of confrontation — one that neither ASEAN nor East Asia can afford.

Investment account for children bill proposedNEST EGG: The proposed initiative would fund accounts for children that would become available when they turned 18, giving them a start in adult lifeBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) yesterday announced plans for government-funded investment accounts for children that could be claimed upon turning 18. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) and TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) unveiled the “Taiwan Future Account” initiative at a news conference in Taipei. The KMT and the TPP decided to propose the “Taiwan future account special act” to address the nation’s declining birthrate, Huang said. On Wednesday, DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) proposed that the government and parents jointly invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for children. Under the plan, the government and parents would both contribute NT$1,200 monthly to a Taiwan ETF investment account until the child is 10.

KMT announces nominees for southern Taiwan local electionsStaff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced its candidates for next year’s mayoral and county magistrate elections in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Taitung. At a meeting of its Central Standing Committee, the KMT formally approved the selection of Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) in Kaohsiung and Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介) in Tainan as the respective mayoral candidates. Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei TimesThe KMT also approved the nomination of Legislator Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉) to run against incumbent DPP Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) in Pingtung County. At the meeting, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) announced that Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), who served as Legislative speaker from 1999-2016, has been appointed as the party's chief advisor. Taiwan's next local elections are scheduled to take place on Nov. 28 next year.

New Taipei Metro to bolster New Year's Eve scheduleStaff writer, with CNAThe Circular Line, Danhai Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Ankeng LRT in New Taipei are to operate through New Year's Eve to accommodate crowds attending year-end festivities and fireworks displays, New Taipei Metro Corporation said today. To boost capacity to Fisherman's Wharf in Tamsui, the Danhai LRT are to add services on its Blue Ocean Line between 3pm and 5pm on New Year's Eve next Wednesday. Photo courtesy of New Taipei Metro Corp.LRT train services would be extended well into the morning of Jan. 1 operating at 30-minute intervals from midnight to 6am next Thursday. The last trains on the Danhai LRT, Ankeng LRT and Circular Line usually depart their terminals at 12:31am, 12:14am and 12am, respectively. The metro company also said it conducted a multi-hazard emergency drill early Thursday morning, simulating a smoke bomb and a random knife attack inside a train.

Taiwan to fine owners for failing to microchip cats from next monthStaff writer, with CNACat owners who fail to put microchips in their pets could face fines of up to NT$15,000 (US$477) starting next month, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). Under the Animal Protection Act, dog owners have been required to microchip and register their pets since 2008, with violators subject to fines ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$15,000. A cat has a microchip implanted in this undated photograph. According to the most recent survey of the MOA’s pet census conducted every two years, there were about 1.31 million cats nationwide in 2023. Microchipping cats not only increases the chances of recovering lost pets, but also allows authorities to track whether they have been spayed or neutered, the MOA said.

China may see full attack as best unification option: PentagonStaff writer, with CNABeijing could eventually see a full amphibious invasion of Taiwan as the only "prudent" way to bring about unification, the US Department of Defense said in a newly released annual report to Congress. Photo: ReutersThe report said Beijing is busy refining several military options to force unification with Taiwan, ranging from coercive actions short of war to a full-scale joint island landing campaign (JILC). A landing campaign involving a large-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan would be the most decisive and riskiest option, the report said. Yet despite the risks and Beijing's preference for less dramatic options, "it is preparing for a JILC and could determine that it is the only prudent option for compelling unification," the report said. The three less dramatic options, also covered in last year’s report, were coercion short of war, a joint firepower strike campaign and a joint blockade campaign.

Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 North Concourse opens todayStaff writer, with CNAThe north concourse of Terminal 3 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has officially opened today. The Terminal 3 north concourse began trial operations on Dec. 1 and would enter full service today, according to Taoyuan International Airport Corp.As of Tuesday, a total of 247 takeoffs and landings had been recorded during the trial period, with passenger traffic reaching 55,452, airport authorities told CNA. The north concourse of Terminal 3 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport will officially open on Thursday, airport authorities said Wednesday. Photo: CNAThe north concourse extends from Gate D10 at Terminal 2 and connects to Gates D11 through D18. Taoyuan International Airport Corp. held an international design competition in 2016, which was won by the internationally renowned British architectural firm RSHP.

Taiwan celebrates Christmas, kind of, once again after 25 yearsBloombergTaiwan is getting a day off on Christmas for the first time in 25 years. The change comes after opposition parties passed a law earlier this year to add or restore five public holidays, including Constitution Day, which falls on today, Dec. 25. Photo: APThe day marks the 1947 adoption of the constitution of the Republic of China, as the government in Taipei is formally known. As in many other parts of the world, Christmas in Taiwan is a popular cultural and commercial phenomenon. Friends gather for celebrations, and glitzy Taipei malls are bedecked in holiday cheer, replete with familiar Christmas music.

CWA warns of aftershocks following Taitung magnitude 6.1 quakeStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday warned of possible aftershocks following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Taitung County in the early evening, with tremors expected to reach 5.5 or higher over the next week. The quake hit at 5:47pm about 10.1km north of Taitung County Hall, at a depth of 11.9km, according to the CWA. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes the Taitung area yesterday evening, leaving merchandise scattered across the floor of a supermarket. The quake was followed by several quakes that were over a magnitude of 4 earlier today, CWA data showed. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake yesterday was a shallow event triggered by the ongoing collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, Wu Chien-fu (吳健富), director of the CWA's Seismological Center, said at a press briefing.

CWA warns of chilly weather in northern Taiwan into tomorrowStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued cold surge advisories for areas in northern Taiwan that will be in effect from this evening to tomorrow morning. Kaohsiung and Pingtung County may also see sporadic showers today, the CWA said. Temperatures would rebound slightly over the weekend, with highs reaching 20-23°C in northern Taiwan and 25-26°C in southern parts of Taiwan. At night and in the early morning, temperatures would hit lows of 10-12°C in the north, 12-13°C in central Taiwan and 15°C in the south, according to CWA data. Meanwhile, eastern Taiwan, areas north of Taoyuan, the Hengchun Peninsula and mountainous regions in central and southern Taiwan may experience sporadic showers, while other parts of Taiwan would see cloudy to sunny skies, the CWA forecast.

Taipei court lifts Ko Wen-je’s residence restrictionsAPPEAL: The former Taipei mayor said he was already subject to digital surveillance and had appeared in court on time without any violations in the past three monthsStaff writer, with CNAThe Taipei District Court on Tuesday granted a request from former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to lift a restriction on his place of residence while he remains under investigation in a corruption case. During the hearing on his suspected involvement in breach of trust and embezzling political donations, the former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman maintained his innocence. Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, front, left, attends a hearing at the Taipei District Court yesterday. His lawyers on Tuesday requested the lifting of the residence restriction to allow him to stay with his elderly mother in Hsinchu. Taking into account the stage of the court proceedings, the grounds for his request and the principle of proportionality, the court granted the request.

Forest boss is no Scrooge over Christmas dinnerReutersNottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche on Tuesday said he would not be weighing his players when they return after Christmas, unlike his next opponents Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola, but he does expect them to use their common sense while digging into their festive dinner. I wonder ... one rule for one... Come on Pep,” Dyche said with a smile. “I don’t mind them having a Christmas dinner, why not? Sometimes, the psychology is as important as anything with athletes and within reason you want them to enjoy their Christmas Day,” Dyche said. “Get the bairns [children] on the knee, have a lager if you wish to, but be prepared,” Dyche said.