The positive climate news that you might have missedBy David Fickling / Bloomberg OpinionSo much climate news comes out in any given week that it can be hard to keep up with it all. Much is gloomy, but there are positive developments all the time — so many, in fact, that it is easy to miss some of the things that have been happening. In fact, it is a testament to the monumental achievement so far and an example the rest of the world should now emulate. We argued that the slowdown was temporary, with performance this year likely to far outstrip predictions of 3.2 million sales. David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change and energy.

The WHO v Taiwan’s lifesaversBy Noa WynnEarthquakes do not care about borders. The whole point of having international health institutions is that disease and disaster are universal problems that require universal solutions. Chinese rescue teams crossed the border, along with teams from India, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. Taiwan’s team, with everything needed to pull survivors from rubble and decades of earthquake response experience, got sent home because letting them in would have irritated Beijing. The distance excuse was nonsense, given that Nepal accepted rescue teams from countries much farther away, but the real reason was obvious enough.

Moreover, the court characterized assistant fees as essentially a subsidy for legislators to be “flexibly allocated” at their discretion, so it did not constitute corruption. Therefore, I concluded, they ruled that the only offense committed was causing a public official to make false entries in public documents. Exasperated, my neighbor asked that if the money is for legislators anyway, why not just be open about it all? After the High Court’s ruling, which reinterpreted the purpose of assistant fees, the public realized what game was being played. The very same assistant budget system that was originally designed to safeguard public funds has now been redefined by the interpretation of a few individual judges.

EDITORIAL: Look out for family to stop tragedyAs the nation reels from the knife attack in Taipei last week, the way society moves on from the incident could have lasting consequences for public safety and social cohesion. After the tragedy, parent-child specialist WuChuan-yu (吳娟瑜) urged families to provide emotional support and help children and relatives establish a sense of self-worth and a place in the family. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) called for stronger social safety nets, saying the attack highlighted the anxiety present in Taiwanese society. They cannot explain why a 27-year-old man meticulously planned a violent attack for more than a year, stockpiling knives, smoke grenades and other materials. Public safety is inseparable from social care, and attention must extend beyond the moment of crisis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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）

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.