Towering handcrafted lanterns light up Philippines’ Christmas lantern festivalAFP, SAN FERNANDO, PhilippinesIn Christmas-mad Philippines, thousands cheered as handcrafted lanterns towering 6m high lighted up the night sky in San Fernando. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery, and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. People watch as a giant lantern lights up during the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, on Sunday. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronized by 15km of electric cables and symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. “Almost all the lanternmakers here are related to each other or are friends with the others,” said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.

TikTok signs deal to end US ban threatNEW ENTITY: The joint venture would be held by a consortium of new investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, with Bytedance retaining about 20 percentAFP, WASHINGTONTikTok on Thursday said it has signed a joint venture deal with investors that would allow the company to maintain operations in the US and avoid a ban threat over its Chinese ownership. Oracle executive chairman and founder Larry Ellison is a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump. TikTok Global’s US entities would manage global product interoperability, and certain commercial activities, including e-commerce, advertising and marketing, the memo said. Chew said there is more work to be done ahead of the Jan. 22 next year closing date for the deal. “Keeping the US operation live is itself a victory” for Bytedance, technology consultancy Dolphin founder Li Chengdong (李成東) said.

Seahawks edge Rams in thriller to take No. The Seattle Seahawks’ Eric Saubert, center, celebrates after making a two-point conversion during their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field in Seattle on Thursday. Although Seattle drew first blood with a Zach Charbonnet touchdown, the Rams dominated the first half, stifling the Seahawks offense. Although the two-point attempt initially appeared incomplete, officials ruled that Charbonnet had scored after a backward pass deflected off a Rams helmet. Nacua scored the Rams’ touchdown, before Darnold slung it to Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the other end, setting up the decisive two-point attempt.

Rescued lion, bear find new homes in German sanctuariesAP, PRISTINAA lion and bear rescued from captivity in northern Albania arrived in animal sanctuaries in Germany, after authorities in Tirana discovered they were being illegally kept as pets on a private estate. Erion, a three-year-old lion, and Flora, a two-year-old bear, are now starting a new life. Erion, a three-year-old lion, sits in its enclosure before its transportation from Tirana to Germany on Tuesday. Four Paws said it believes the lion is a victim of illegal wildlife trafficking, while the bear was likely poached from the wild. Four Paws project manager Sajmir Shehu said the law lacks a stringent framework based on which organizations like his could prevent wild animals being kept in captivity.

An Se-young beats Yamaguchi to top BWF Finals groupReutersSouth Korea’s An Se-young yesterday finished top of Group A in the women’s singles at badminton’s World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, after defeating world champion Akane Yamaguchi 14-21, 21-5, 21-14, while Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon beat China’s Han Yue to advance. Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen returns to Li Shifeng of China during their men’s singles match at the BWF Badminton World Tour Finals at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in China yesterday. Pornpawee Chochuwong exited due to an injury on Thursday, leaving the group to be contested by the remaining three players. Taiwan’s Hung En-tzu, left, looks on as Hsieh Pei-shan returns to South Korea’s Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee during their women’s doubles match at the BWF Badminton World Tour Finals at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in China yesterday. In Group A of the women’s doubles, Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee of South Korea defeated Taiwan’s Hsieh Pei-shan and Hung En-tzu 21-17, 21-19.

Researchers awarded for reduction of animal testingBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Agriculture yesterday awarded experts and institutions for commitment to laboratory animal welfare, as animal experimentations decreased by 9 percent nationwide over the past decade. Recently developed artificial intelligence-driven predictive toxicology platforms and replacement techniques can reduce research animal use 50 to 100 percent, it said. The ministry also recognized 22 institutions for their outstanding performance in conducting humane care of research animals and providing training for personnel. Hung in his remarks said animal testing was improved through “refinement” and “reduction” of animal use in 3Rs. Department of Animal Welfare Director Chiang Wen-chuan (江文全) said the idea of respecting life in research animal use has become well-established in Taiwan over the past 30 years, as a mechanism has been developed to design, review and conduct animal experiments with a focus on animal welfare.

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. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in Tokyo yesterday. The central bank sees the rate as roughly somewhere between 1 percent and 2.5 percent. “Maybe two rate hikes in 2026 and one more in 2027, reaching the level of 1.5 percent,” Momma added.

The north concourse was built first because its location and layout were straightforward toTravelers wait in the newly completed north concourse of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3 on Dec. 1. “Construction methods would be refined and replicated for the south concourse, allowing construction there to proceed more quickly,” he said. There are still 13 boarding gates to be completed in Terminal 3, five in the main terminal and eight in the south concourse, he said. He added that many passengers had very positive feedback during the trial operation of the north concourse, taking many photos. It’s not just the runway and planes, but the entire landscape.”Yang said that many airport-exclusive products would be sold inthe north concourse.

Trump signs the NDAA into law, but adds caveatStaff writer, with CNAUS President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes authorization for up to US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. Passage of the NDAA, which authorizes the US government to spend more than US$900 billion on defense programs, does not guarantee that the funds would be appropriated. Photo: Cheng I-hwa, BloombergThe US Congress must still pass separate defense appropriation bills for the funds to be allocated. The US$1 billion authorized for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative would go toward expanding support for medical equipment, supply capabilities and battlefield casualty care, the NDAA says. The legislation also directs the Pentagon to develop a plan for enhanced joint Taiwan-US Coast Guard training, and the deployment of US personnel to Taiwan to bolster maritime security, law enforcement and deterrence.

Australia announces gun buyback after Bondi tragedyAFP, SYDNEYAustralia would use a sweeping buyback scheme to “get guns off our streets,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday, as hundreds plunged into the ocean to honor Bondi Beach shooting victims. People paddle and swim together at Bondi Beach in Sydney yesterday as they participate in a tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting attack last week. Australia would pay gun owners to surrender “surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms.”It would be the largest gun buyback since 1996, when Australia cracked down on firearms in the wake of a shooting that killed 35 people at Port Arthur. Police said there was no established link with the alleged Bondi gunmen and “no immediate safety risk to the community.”Many hundreds yesterday returned to the ocean off Bondi Beach in another gesture to honor the dead. Bondi locals Boris and Sofia Gurman were among the first killed as they tried to wrestle Sajid Akram to the ground.

Victim support mechanism requestedCROSS-BORDER THREATS: Chen Kuan-ting urged administrative agencies to establish clear reporting and assistance mechanisms, so that victims know where to seek helpBy Lee Wen-hsin / Staff reporterCivic organizations and bipartisan lawmakers yesterday urged the government to establish a victim support and reporting mechanism, strengthen cross-border threat detection and coordination capabilities, and promote national cybersecurity and protective education to raise public awareness of cross-border suppression. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, back row, third right, and Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chen Gau-tzu, back row, second right, and other event guests pose for a photograph at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Chen Kuan-ting said there have been many cases where individuals who fled China due to persecution continue to be harassed by Chinese national security agencies after seeking refuge overseas. In a joint statement issued at the G7 summit in June, cross-border suppression was recognized as a “global security issue,” he added. With the international community working to contain and prevent cross-border suppression, he said the purpose of the news conference was to encourage all sectors to address the issue and seek solutions.

US releases report identifying policies to deter the CCPBy Hollie Younger / Staff writerThe US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) yesterday released a bipartisan report titled Ten More for Taiwan identifying urgent, near-term steps to deter Chinese aggression. Committee Chair John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi built on the original Ten for Taiwan report from May 2023. The US Congress should pass legislation to deter Chinese economic coercion and protect critical supply chains, it said. The report also highlighted the importance of aiding Taiwan in diversifying its energy supply with increased imports of liquid natural gas. Taiwan’s civil defense and military training cooperation with the US needs to be enhanced, the report said.

US launches review of Nvidia sales to ChinaReuters, WASHINGTONUS President Donald Trump’s administration has launched a review that could result in the first shipments to China of Nvidia’s second-most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) chips, five sources said, making good on his pledge to allow the sales. Trump this month said he would allow sales of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China, with the US government collecting a 25 percent fee. The sales would help keep US firms ahead of Chinese chipmakers by cutting demand for Chinese chips. However, questions have remained about how quickly Washington might approve such sales and whether Beijing would allow Chinese firms to purchase the Nvidia chips. Trump had previously opened the door to sales of a less-advanced version of Nvidia’s Blackwell chips, its cutting-edge offering, but backed away from the move and approved sales of the H200 instead.

Japan says its no-nukes pledge has not changedReuters, TOKYOJapan yesterday reaffirmed its decades-old pledge never to possess nuclear weapons after local media reported that a senior security official suggested the country should acquire them to deter potential aggressors. Photo: AFPThere is a growing political and public willingness in Japan to loosen its three non-nuclear principles not to possess, develop or allow nuclear weapons into its territory, a Reuters investigation published in August found. Some lawmakers within Takaichi’s ruling party have said the US should be allowed to bring nuclear weapons into Japan on submarines or other platforms to reinforce deterrence. Taro Kono, a senior ruling party lawmaker and former defense and foreign affairs minister, said Japan should not shy away from a broader debate on the pros and cons of acquiring nuclear weapons. Discussions about acquiring or hosting nuclear weapons have long been taboo due to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II and the country’s pacifist constitution adopted after its defeat.

Uncrewed vehicle alliance launchedBy Fang Wei-li / Staff reporterThe Trans-Pacific Unmanned Vehicle Parliamentary Alliance (TUVPA) was inaugurated in Taipei yesterday, with association members pledging to transform the uncrewed vehicle industry into Taiwan’s next “national defense pillar.”Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱), who initiated the launch of the alliance, said that the applications of uncrewed vehicles have surpassed military operations, extending widely into areas such as delivery logistics, disaster relief, maritime salvage and aerial surveying. Lawmakers and event guests pose for a photograph at the inauguration ceremony of the TransPacific Unmanned Vehicle Parliamentary Alliance in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNATaiwan has the most important core of uncrewed vehicles — the “chip,” he said. In this context, the US and its democratic allies are pushing for a global realignment of supply chains, he added. He expressed the hope that through the alliance, Taiwan can deepen its partnerships with friendly nations and strengthen its resilience in a changing international landscape.