Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes TaitungStaff writer, with CNAA magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Taitung County at 5:47pm today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The epicenter was about 10.1km north of Taitung County Hall, at a depth of 11.9km, CWA data showed. Photo courtesy of the Central Weather AdministrationThere were no immediate reports of damage. The earthquake's intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in Beinan Township (卑南), where it measured 5- on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale. It measured 4 in other parts of Taitung, as well as in Hualien and Pingtung counties, and 3 in Kaohsiung, Tainan and Chiayi and Nantou, Chiayi, Yunlin and Changhua counties.

The policy, proposed today by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文), suggests that the government and parents both contribute NT$1,200 (US$38.19) monthly to a Taiwan ETF investment account until the child is 10. The UK, Singapore, Japan and Canada all have similar ETF investment policies, and Taiwan’s ETFs are the third-largest in Asia, You said. Taiwan’s current child accounts under the Ministry of Health and Welfare target economically disadvantaged families and primarily include fixed deposits, Tsai said. While the health ministry offers child accounts for middle and low-income households, they are savings-oriented and subject to certain restrictions, Lai said. The NDC would bring the child investment account proposal to the Executive Yuan and convene relevant agencies to discuss the policy, she added.

Taiwan per capita income overtakes S Korea, Japan: IMFBy Hollie Younger / Staff writerTaiwan has overtaken South Korea this year in per capita income for the first time in 23 years, IMF data showed. Per capita income is a nation’s GDP divided by the total population, used to compare average wealth levels across countries. Taiwan also beat Japan this year on per capita income, after surpassing it for the first time last year, US magazine Newsweek reported yesterday. Photo: EPA-EFEAcross Asia, Taiwan ranked fourth for per capita income at US$37,827 this year due to sustained economic growth, the report said. China’s per capita income was US$13,810 this year, ranked in ninth place after South Korea, Japan, Brunei and Malaysia, the report said.

Ex-US admiral touts US arms sales as important for Taiwan defenseStaff writer, with CNARetired US Navy rear admiral Mark Montgomery yesterday said that the US' latest arms sales to Taiwan are expected to make it difficult for China to invade Taiwan. In an e-mail reply to a request for comment on the arms sales, Montgomery praised the effectiveness of the ground-based systems and munitions, such as M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS, Javelin and TOW, against China's military. One highlight of the arms sales is the uncrewed aerial vehicle package worth about US$1 billion, which would serve as "an important part of counter-intervention abilities both in the maritime and ashore," Montgomery said. Earlier this year, military sources said that extensive harassment by Chinese fighter jets means that it is necessary for Taiwan to purchase E-2D early warning aircraft to replace its current E-2K early warning aircraft. The latest arms sale announcement was the second since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.

Japanese lawmaker urges close partnership to prevent ‘Taiwan contingency’Staff writer, with CNAA visiting former Japanese justice minister today said it is important for closer bilateral collaboration on joint deterrence capabilities to prevent a "Taiwan contingency" from happening. Japanese House of Representatives member Keisuke Suzuki, left, meets with President William Lai at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Asked to comment if he and his Taiwanese counterparts discussed ways to enhance bilateral defense cooperation during their meetings in Taipei, Suzuki did not give a direct answer. Their visit came as Tokyo and Beijing are in a diplomatic spat over recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Japan's potential response to a "Taiwan contingency." Lawmakers' traveling overseas to conduct exchanges are to continue despite the lack of official ties between Tokyo and Taipei, he said.

Chiang shortens Shanghai trip for Twin City Forum over Taipei stabbingBy Kan Meng-lin and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) would only attend this weekend’s Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum for one morning before returning to Taiwan, the Taipei City Government said yesterday. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an speaks to reporters in the city yesterday. However, considering the 15-year history of the forum, Chiang decided to compromise and shorten his trip to Shanghai, it said. A thank-you luncheon that was to be hosted by the Taipei delegation after the forum has reportedly been canceled. Meanwhile, Chiang on Sunday announced that Taipei would conduct a high-intensity drill at Taipei City Hall MRT Station on Friday.

Prosecutors seeking 10 years for Sra Kacaw in corruption caseBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAProsecutors today indicted Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Sra Kacaw on suspicion of accepting nearly NT$7.11 million (US$226,260) in bribes over about four years from nine business operators. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Sra Kacaw is pictured at the legislature in Taipei in an undated photograph. Beginning in December 2020, Sra Kacaw became acquainted with the nine business operators after an introduction from Chang and others, the indictment said. Sra Kacaw is from the Amis indigenous group. Sra Kacaw has served continuously since being elected in the Legislative Yuan’s eighth term and has been re-elected four times, prosecutors said.

Taiwan plans five undersea cables to preserve communicationsStaff writer, with CNATaiwan is to add two international and three domestic undersea communications cables as part of its efforts to strengthen communications resilience, Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬) said yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei TimesThe new undersea cables would be hardened with an "armor-like" protective layer, so they would not be easily damaged, Lin said. As of press time last night, the ministry had not replied to a query on when the planned communications cables would be completed. Taiwan has reported several instances of alleged sabotage of underwater communications cables by Chinese civilian vessels in recent years. The planned undersea cables are part of the ministry's "three-dimensional defensive communications network" initiative, which aims to strengthen Taiwan's communication from land, air and sea, Lin said.

M1A2T Abrams tanks conduct first off-base exerciseStaff writer, with CNAThe M1A2T Abrams tanks that Taiwan purchased from the US participated in a combat readiness exercise in Hsinchu yesterday, marking the first time they had operated outside their base. The army's 584th Armored Brigade conducted a battalion-level exercise to test troops' ability to respond to contingencies and protect key facilities, the Military News Agency reported. M1A2T Abrams tanks drive down a street in Hsinchu yesterday. Taiwan in 2019 earmarked NT$40.52 billion (US$1.29 billion) to procure 108 M1A2T tanks from the US. It has received 80 of the tanks, with the remaining 28 scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of next year.

Penalty king Raul Jimenez fires Fulham past ForestAFP, LONDONFulham on Monday climbed away from the English Premier League relegation zone and left Nottingham Forest mired in the fight for survival after Raul Jimenez’s penalty sealed a 1-0 win. Fulham’s Raul Jimenez, second right, scores a penalty against Nottingham Forest in their English Premier League match at Craven Cottage in London on Monday. Luiz’s trip on Kevin conceded the penalty and Jimenez stepped up to send John Victor the wrong way from the spot. Jimenez has now scored all 11 penalties he has taken in the Premier League. Forest were pushing hard and Murillo forced Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into action with a long-range blast, before Morgan Gibbs-White shot narrowly wide.

Experts call for broader alcohol intolerance testingBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAMedical experts yesterday called for broader testing for alcohol intolerance in Taiwan given the high prevalence of the disorder and its impact on health. Photo: APAlcohol intolerance is caused by mutations of the genes governing the enzymes that break down alcohol, Nien said. Alcohol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase into acetaldehyde before acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) breaks down the substance into carbon dioxide and water, which are expelled, she said. For people with alcohol intolerance, the low-activity ALDH enzymes cause toxic acetaldehyde to build up in the body, resulting in heightened risks of poisoning and cancer, Nien said. Susceptibility to hangovers, nausea, vertigo and developing a flush after drinking are common symptoms of alcohol intolerance, but genetic testing is required for a diagnosis, she said.

Expansion of free cancer screenings paying off: HPAPLAYING IT SAFE: Screenings helped 23.3 percent more people discover abnormalities early compared with last year, potentially improving health outcomes, the HPA saidBy Hou Chia-yu and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerCancer screenings this year increased by 24.8 percent, helping about 71,000 people discover signs of cancer early, following the government’s expansion of the program, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said yesterday. Shen encouraged all people who are eligible to get a free screening to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer. The HPA urged those whose screenings showed signs of cancer to follow up with a doctor as soon as possible to ensure early treatment. For cervical cancer screenings, the eligible age for a subsidized Pap smear test once every three years was lowered from 30 to 25. For breast cancer screenings, subsidized mammograms once every two years are now available for women aged 40 to 74, expanded from 45 to 70.

Post office, driver’s license changes comingSHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operatorsBy Shelley Shan

Specialist urges families to take stock after attackBy Wu Po-hsuan / Staff reporterParent-child specialist Wu Chuan-yu (吳娟瑜) on Sunday urged family members to help their children or siblings build a sense of self-worth and standing in the family, in the wake of a deadly rampage in Taipei last week. A man guides a child riding a push bike in New Taipei City on March 22. Chang’s father is an engineer, his mother is an accountant and his family is considered financially secure, media reported. Children need trust, guidance, support and understanding to resolve misunderstandings, and it is important that children obtain a sense of self-worth from their parents and siblings, Wu said. Parents should also let their children know that they have “standing” in the family and are irreplaceable, she added.

Innolux Corp in talks to develop new technologiesBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterInnolux Corp (群創) said it is in talks with chip companies to jointly develop next-generation panel-level chip packaging technologies, as the company’s first fan-out panel-level packaging (PLP) project entered volume production in the second quarter. Innolux Corp chairman Jim Hung poses for a photograph at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNAThe company estimated that its first fan-out PLP project would generate NT$100 million (US$3.17 million) in revenue. After building its fan-out PLP credentials, Innolux aims to enhance its technological capabilities through cooperation with customers to develop redistribution layer (RDL) technology, a PLP packaging with finer line width, and 3D packaging through glass via (TGV) technology, Hung said. In addition to the new fan-out PLP business, Innolux aims to advance its automobile display unit, CarUX Holding Ltd, to a first-tier vehicle-solution supplier next year.