“We came here as champions of Italy, we wanted this trophy and we showed it with a great performance,” Napoli forward Matteo Politano told Mediaset. “We could have scored a few more goals, but we are happy with the victory.”SSC Napoli’s David Neres, center, scores against Bologna in the Italian Supercoppa final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday. Eljif Elmas had an early opportunity for Napoli, but dragged his shot wide from just outside the six-yard box. Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia parried away a Scott McTominay shot as Napoli continued to pile on the pressure, while Bologna struggled to create any chances. “Maybe next year we will return to the original spirit of the Italian Supercoppa with a one-off game,” Simonelli told Mediaset before kickoff.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Overcoming the gulf between good intentions and actionEnvironmental awareness has been on the rise in Taiwan, but there remains a lack of action. GENERAL PUBLICThe authors of “Environmental Literacy Among the General Public in Chiayi County, Taiwan” (Sustainability, April 1, 2025) differentiate between environmental awareness and environmental knowledge. Photo: Steven CrookTheir concept of environmental literacy incorporates three additional dimensions: environmental attitudes (a person’s values and emotional responses toward their surroundings); environmental action skills (for example, knowing how to separate trash or alert the authorities to pollution) and environmental behavior (such as energy conservation and sustainable consumption). However, the survey discovered a relative lack of environmental action skills. Surely Taiwan’s leaders know that the existing intersection of regulations and interest groups — which, to give just one example, encourages the construction of far more houses than a shrinking population requires — often obstructs meaningful climate action.

IPO activity next year expected to remain strong: EYBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterTaiwan’s initial public offerings (IPO) activity is expected to remain strong next year following a stellar showing this year, as artificial intelligence (AI) and the technology supply chain continue to support Taiwanese stocks, Ernst & Young (EY) Taiwan said yesterday. With the increasing demand for smart applications and related technologies, coupled with Taiwan’s chip technology advantage, the prospects for Taiwan’s IPO market next year remain promising,” EY Taiwan assurance services leader James Huang (黃建澤) said in a statement. There were 70 IPO deals on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and Taipei Exchange markets this year, up from 65 last year, EY Taiwan said. Most IPO deals this year were in the semiconductor sector, followed by the biotechnology, medical and electronics sectors, EY Taiwan said. The listings raised a combined NT$20.52 billion, an increase of NT$5.66 billion, or 38.12 percent, from the previous year, the data showed.

Nvidia aims to begin H200 shipments to China by mid-February, sources sayReutersNvidia Corp has told Chinese customers it aims to start shipping its second-most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China before the Lunar New Year holiday in the middle of February, three people familiar with the matter said. The Nvidia Corp logo is displayed on a cellphone lying atop a laptop computer in an illustration photograph taken on Aug. 25. Nvidia has focused production on Blackwell and its upcoming Rubin line, making H200 supply scarce. Licensed sales of the H200 to authorized customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States,” Nvidia said in a statement. Chinese officials held emergency meetings earlier this month to discuss the matter and are weighing whether to allow shipments, Reuters reported this month.

Thailand-Cambodia border meeting in doubtAFP, BANGKOKThailand yesterday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country, leaving a planned meeting to negotiate an end to deadly border clashes in doubt. Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow speaks during a news conference after a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPAHowever, the Thai Ministry of Defense said yesterday that the bilateral border committee meeting would go ahead in Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province from today as planned. Surasant said officials from the committee would meet from today to Saturday, adding that whether the meeting happened depended on Cambodia. However, in a letter to Thai Minister of Defense Nattaphon Narkphanit, Cambodian Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha requested the meeting be held in Kuala Lumpur for security reasons.

It would be ‘smart’ for Maduro to step down, Trump saysAFP WASHINGTONUS President Donald Trump on Monday said it would be “smart” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as US naval forces pressed a blockade on the South American country’s oil wealth. Asked by reporters at his Florida home if Washington’s threats were designed to force Maduro to leave office after 12 years, Trump said: “That’s up to him, what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that.”US President Donald Trump attends a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. Firing back just hours later, Maduro said that Trump would be “better off” if he focused on his own country’s problems rather than threatening Caracas. Trump on Tuesday last week also announced a blockade of “sanctioned oil vessels” sailing to and from Venezuela.

Lai urges solidarity after knife attack‘SPIRIT SHONE’: Developing resilience requires not only military preparations, but also measures to toughen institutions, infrastructure and the mindset of Taiwanese, Lai saidBy Jonathan Chin and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writers, with CNAThe Taipei metro knife attack last week was a reminder of solidarity and vigilance, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, in a call to improve Taiwan’s emergency response capabilities. Emergency responders take part in an exercise organized by the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee in Taipei on March 27. This year’s joint exercise included a hostage situation on a train car, which is applicable to last Friday’s attack, she said. About 1.21 million tonnes of rice can be produced annually, meaning that reserves are maintained at more than three months of consumption, he said. Reserves as of the end of last month totaled 1.06 million tonnes, enough supply for 11 months, he added.

Amazon blocks North Koreans from applying for jobsAFP, SEOULUS tech giant Amazon said it has blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from joining the company, as Pyongyang sends large numbers of information technology (IT) workers overseas to earn and launder funds. In July, a woman in Arizona was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a laptop farm helping North Korean IT workers secure remote jobs at more than 300 US companies. The scheme generated more than US$17 million in revenue for her and North Korea, officials said. Last year, Seoul’s intelligence agency said that North Korean operatives had used LinkedIn to pose as recruiters and approach South Koreans working at defense firms to obtain information on their technologies. “North Korea is actively training cyberpersonnel and infiltrating key locations worldwide,” Korea Institute for National Unification analyst Hong Min said.

Think tank raises 2025 growth forecast to 7.25%, urges caution for 2026Staff writer, with CNATaiwan’s economic growth for this year was forecast at 7.25 percent yesterday by the Taiwan Research Institute (TRI), a sharp upward revision from its June estimate of 2.9 percent, though it also urged cautioned over next year’s economic conditions. Meanwhile, the demand boom for artificial intelligence (AI) technology repeatedly drove exports for AI servers and information and communications technology products to record highs. This growth model is expected to continue into next year, the think tank said, forecasting a 3.46 percent growth in the nation’s economy. While global demand for AI and high-performance computing will still be high, growth will be limited due to this year’s high base, the TRI said. The institution forecast growth of 2.23 percent, an improvement from this year.

Legislative Yuan votes to increase traffic penaltiesROAD SAFETY: The amendments increase penalties for traffic contraventions such as using mobile phones or smoking a cigarette while riding a motorcycleBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) that increase penalties for certain traffic contraventions. A scooter driver holds his cellphone while stopped at a traffic light in Taipei on June 8, 2012. There has been an increase in the number of traffic accidents, and children and elderly people who are more vulnerable to traffic often use roads around schools and hospitals, the bill says. Also yesterday, the legislature passed amendments to the Railway Act (鐵路法) that impose criminal penalties for using violence, coercion or threats to obstruct railway personnel while they are carrying out their duties. Under the amendment, such offenses are punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to NT$300,000.

Financial hub goals ahead of schedule: FSCCARVING A NICHE: While Taiwan trails Singapore and Hong Kong in some areas, it has unique advantages such as world-class technology, FSC Chairman Peng saidBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s bid to become a leading Asian asset-management hub is gathering momentum, with assets under management climbing more than NT$4 trillion (US$127 billion), reaching a key two-year milestone ahead of schedule, Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman Peng Jin-lung (彭金隆) said yesterday. “Thirty years ago, we could only imagine it,” Peng said at a financial competitiveness forum in Taipei. In July, the FSC launched a dedicated asset-management zone in Kaohsiung, permitting 38 types of financial services. Taiwan introduced the Taiwan Individual Savings Account (TISA) mechanism in July to encourage long-term investment habits and support financial planning for Taiwanese amid an aging population. So far, 22 fund houses offer 37 TISA-qualified funds, attracting more than 60,000 accounts in just three months, Peng said.

Yulon’s board approves the disposal of its EV unitTAIWAN VALUE CHAIN: Foxtron is to fully own Luxgen following the transaction and it plans to launch a new electric model, the Foxtron Bria, in Taiwan next year Yulon Motor Co (裕隆汽車) yesterday said that its board of directors approved the disposal of its electric vehicle (EV) unit, Luxgen Motor Co (納智捷汽車), to Foxtron Vehicle Technologies Co (鴻華先進) for NT$787.6 million (US$24.98 million). Foxtron, a half-half joint venture between Yulon affiliate Hua-Chuang Automobile Information Technical Center Co (華創車電) and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), expects to wrap up the deal in the first quarter of next year. Foxtron would fully own Luxgen following the transaction, including five car distributing companies, outlets and all employees. The deal is subject to the approval of the Fair Trade Commission, Foxtron said. “Foxtron will beBy Lisa Wang

Amendments to EV tax laws clear the legislatureStaff writer, with CNAAmendments to commodity and license laws for electric vehicles (EV) that extend an exemption of taxes for an additional five years cleared the Legislative Yuan yesterday. Amendments to the Commodity Tax Act (貨物稅條例) would extend the exemption of the commodity tax for EV purchases, but continue to limit it to a taxable value of NT$1.4 million (US$44,433) per EV, with amounts in excess of the limit not receiving tax-free status. Photo: Taipei TimesAmendments to the Vehicle License Tax Act (使用牌照稅法) would extend the exemption of the license tax for five years. As of the end of last month, the exemption of the EV commodity tax has cost the treasury a cumulative NT$28.9 billion, while the exemption of the EV vehicle license tax has cost the government a cumulative NT$9.2 billion, the ministry said. There was a consensus among ruling and opposition lawmakers to support extending the tax exemption before the amendments were passed yesterday, it said.

Legislature passes new artificial intelligence lawStaff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed a new law that lays out principles on how artificial intelligence (AI) is to be governed in Taiwan and designated the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) as the governing authority for AI. Under the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act (人工智慧基本法), the government is required to promote AI research and applications, while also prioritizing social welfare, digital equity, innovation and national competitiveness. The act stipulates that AI development should adhere to seven core principles: sustainability and well-being, human autonomy, privacy and data governance, cybersecurity and safety, transparency and explainability, fairness and non-discrimination, and accountability. Lawmakers celebrate the passage of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. The act also requires the Executive Yuan to establish a national AI strategy committee — chaired by the premier and comprising academics, industry representatives, agency heads and local government leaders — to formulate national AI development guidelines.

Where is Taiwan’s India policy? Taiwan undoubtedly faces mounting pressures, not least due to the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump’s administration, given that the US remains Taiwan’s primary security partner. To do so, Taiwan should first firmly recommit to the New Southbound Policy Plus and articulate a dedicated India policy. It was a landmark initiative in Taiwan’s foreign policy history, offering a comprehensive framework for regional outreach. Treating it as a serious long-term strategy would bolster Taiwan’s regional positioning and restore momentum in its engagement with India.