Initiatives needed to solve budget deadlockBy Lo Cheng-chung 羅承宗Since the legislative session began in February 2024, the level of conflict and political disarray have continued to escalate. Even the Constitutional Court, meant to safeguard the nation’s free and democratic constitutional order, was targeted by the legislature. In December last year, the Executive Yuan moved to stop the onslaught of absurd legislation being promulgated by refusing to countersign for the first time. Over the next few months, each competent authority would submit their individual policy plans, including income and expenditure estimates, to the Executive Yuan for approval. In August, the Executive Yuan must send its central government budget proposal for the following year to the legislature for review.

Chaos drives up airline surchargeStaff writer, with CNAFuel surcharges for short and long-haul international aviation routes would rise dramatically from Tuesday next week due to a surge in crude oil prices, the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) said yesterday. That would raise the surcharges on short-haul routes to US$45 and US$117 for long-haul routes, the CAA said in a statement. Photo: Huang Yi-ching, Taipei TimesThe new fuel surcharges represent a 157 percent increase. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said the surge in fuel prices has put financial pressure on local airlines, and the fuel surcharge hikes aim to ease that pressure. Fuel prices account for about 40 percent of airlines’ operating costs, according to market estimates.

Lai once more urges legislature to pass defense billBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged the Legislative Yuan to pass the general budget, saying that the ongoing funding freeze has inflicted severe harm to the nation’s development. President William, left, poses for a photograph with Democratic Progressive Party spokeswoman Han Ying, the party’s candidate for Yilan mayor, during a party meeting in Taipei. Photo courtesy of the Democratic Progressive PartyThese connected issues require integrated solutions that the government is trying to provide in the budget plan, Lai said. Lawmakers across the political divide should put their country and the well-being of Taiwanese before their party and speedily pass the government general budget, Lai said. During the meeting, several KMT lawmakers reportedly warned that keeping the general budget plan stalled could hurt the party’s prospects in November’s local elections.

Chinese vessel suspected of damaging undersea cablesBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAThe captain of the Chinese vessel Hai Hong Gong 66 (海虹工 66) was detained on Monday to be questioned over suspected damage to the Taiwan-Matsu No. Chinese vessel Hai Hong Gong 66 is pictured near Lienchiang County’s Dongyin Island on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of a local residentThe Hai Hong Gong 66 arrived on Monday to begin salvage operations, the agency said. The company said it suspected the damage was caused by operations carried out by the Hai Hong Gong 66. The vessel allegedly ignored CGA calls to stop and later turned off its AIS, the Facebook group Taiwan ADIZ said.

Dalai Lama’s enduring moral voiceBy Khedroob ThondupNo state has ever formally recognized the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as a legal entity. In Tibet’s case, China’s consolidation of control and its permanent seat on the UN Security Council foreclose that possibility. States therefore avoid recognition not because the CTA lacks legitimacy, but because the costs of defying Beijing are prohibitive. The Dalai Lama, by contrast, wields soft power that no decree from Beijing can extinguish. His moral authority ensures Tibet remains present in the global consciousness, even as its political institutions are denied a seat at the table.

Taiwan falls to Sri Lanka in their last Asian Cup qualifierBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterYu Yao-hsing on Tuesday nabbed Taiwan’s only goal in the final round of qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, as they fell 3-1 to Sri Lanka at Taipei Municipal Stadium. Taiwan’s Yu Yao-hsing walks off the pitch after losing their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier to Sri Lanka in Taipei on Tuesday. Taiwan players gather on the field during their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka in Taipei on Tuesday. Taiwan fans cheer during their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka in Taipei on Tuesday. Taiwan fans cheer during their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka in Taipei on Tuesday.

Goals from Ali al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at Mexico in 1986. Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do. “Devastated, totally devastated because we believed we could be at the World Cup,” he said. The World Cup is the pinnacle in this profession,” Montella told UEFA.com. Coached by Englishman Graham Potter, they go into Group F at the World Cup along with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

New car sales up 78.4%, report saysBy Lisa Wang / Staff ReporterNew car sales in Taiwan last month reached 39,318 units, a 78.4 percent increase from the previous month, as the number of working days returned to normal from a mere 14 days in February, market researcher U-Car said in a report yesterday. A renewal of government tax incentives, such as the NT$100,000 commodity tax deduction for buying a new car and retiring an old one, also helped boost sales, the researcher said. Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei TimesIn the first quarter of this year, car sales slid 3.4 percent year-on-year to 96,434 units, setting a positive tone for the market going forward, the researcher said. “For the domestic car market, the first quarter sales figure means a stable beginning of the year,” U-Car said. Imported vehicles’ market share rose from 47.2 percent in the previous month to 52.1 percent last month, it added.

Lai vows further cooperation with USPEACE THROUGH STRENGTH: While Taiwan believes that peace is invaluable and that there are no winners in war, peace can only be secured through strength, Lai saidBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan would continue to deepen cooperation with the US and help safeguard global supply chain security, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday during a meeting with a delegation from the Global Taiwan Institute. President William Lai, center, poses for a photograph with members of the Global Taiwan Institute at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Presidential OfficeThe Pax Silica initiative, led by the US Department of State, focuses on artificial intelligence and supply chain security, and seeks to build an economic security framework with allies and trusted partners. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that values freedom and recognizes that peace rests on unity, resilience and strength, the president said. Taiwan’s defense spending has exceeded 3 percent of GDP and is projected to reach 5 percent by 2030, Lai said.

At a news conference, DPP Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said Formosa Plastics Corp’s (FPC, 台塑) polyolefin division reduced supply to downstream clients twice last month and raised prices, citing upstream constraints in ethylene and propylene. The division notified customers on March 2 that supply would be halved, citing planned production cuts by upstream supplier FPCC, just days after tensions in the Middle East escalated, he said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin speaks at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. FPCC and FPC rejected the allegations, saying price increases were driven by surging upstream costs amid disruptions in the Middle East. Both companies said they would cooperate with any investigation and denied engaging in hoarding or price manipulation.

Iran hits Kuwait after Trump’s comment to end the war soonTIMELINE TO END? Trump said that the US “will not have anything to do with” what happens next in Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed by Iran. “We do not set any deadline for defending ourselves.”Amid the war, oil prices have skyrocketed, pushing up the cost of gasoline, food and other goods. Israel and the US have alleged in recent years that Iran was experimenting with using fentanyl in chemical weapons. Israel invaded southern Lebanon after the Iran-linked Hezbollah militant group began launching missiles into northern Israel days after the outbreak of the war.

Taipei Floral Picnic to feature exclusive ‘Pokemon Go’ eventANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops areBy Sun Wei-jung and Fion Khan

Metro and park perks for Children’s Day revealedStaff Writer, with CNAChildren under the age of 12 who hold a Taipei Digital Student Card or a New Taipei Children’s Card can ride MRT systems for free from tomorrow to next Monday to mark Children’s Day, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said on Tuesday. During the same period, all Taiwanese children younger than 12 would have free access to the Maokong Gondola, Taipei Children’s Amusement Park and Taipei Arena Ice Land, which are operated by the company’s subsidiary, Taipei Metro Recreation, the company said in a statement. One accompanying parent would receive free admission to the amusement park, while skate and protective gear rentals at Ice Land would still be charged separately. Photo: Cheng Ching-yi, Taipei TimesTaipei Metro Recreation yesterday said that during the period the amusement park would extend its operating hours from the usual 6pm to 9pm, with activities such as adventure challenges and raffles added to the program. The park would also host a 40-second fireworks show at 8pm on Saturday, the company said.

Fourth naphtha cracker to be activatedHIGHER PRICES: Given rising energy costs, CPC raised natural gas prices for generators by 41.58%, which Taipower said would raise its power generation costs by NT$10 billionBy Meryl Kao / Staff ReporterState-run CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) has activated its fourth naphtha cracker to boost ethylene supply, aiming to ease concerns over plastic material shortages amid tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei TimesTensions in the Middle East have disrupted global petrochemical supply chains, pushing up prices and tightening supply. The ministry is coordinating with 20 manufacturers to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises have access to plastic materials, he said. The ministry would conduct a comprehensive review of CPC’s fuel pricing formula to reflect its procurement costs, Ho said. It sources about 60 percent of its crude oil imports from the US and less than 40 percent from the Middle East, the ministry said.

Foreign minister praises Taiwan-UK relationsBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterMinister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Tuesday expressed hope that the UK would support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) during a luncheon to welcome a delegation of British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group members led by British House of Lords Deputy Speaker Dennis Rogan. Lin hosted the luncheon to thank the members of the British parliament for supporting Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, right, shake hands with British House of Lords Deputy Speaker Dennis Rogan at a luncheon in Taipei on Tuesday. He expressed his gratitude for the cross-party group’s firm support for Taiwan, including their consistent support for Taiwan’s meaningful and practical participation in international organizations, it said. He said they look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s various developments during this trip, as well as the continued deepening of Taiwan-UK partnership across all sectors.