Tourist farm ordered to pay after horse bites boyStaff writer, with CNAThe Taichung branch of the High Court yesterday ordered a popular tourist farm and a contractor to pay NT$710,000 (US$22,589) in compensation after a horse bit a child’s ear, overturning a lower court’s ruling absolving them of legal responsibility. In April 2021, during a visit to Nantou County’s Cingjing Farm, a woman, surnamed Lee (李), lifted her two-year-old son next to an enclosure where children could feed horses, court documents showed. People walk among animals at the Cingjing Farm in Nantou County’s Renai Township in an undated photograph. The court ruled that the family was not owed any of the NT$2.31 million in compensation they sought. The court ordered the farm and the contractor to pay NT$710,000 in compensation to the family, covering the boy’s medical expenses and emotional damage, as well as punitive damages.

Smartphone market set to shrink 12.9 percent: IDC‘SEISMIC SHIFT’: The researcher forecast there would be about 1.1 billion mobile shipments this year, down from 1.26 billion the prior year and erasing years of gains The global smartphone market is expected to contract 12.9 percent this year due to the unprecedented memorychip shortage, marking “a crisis like no other,” researcher International Data Corp (IDC) said. The new forecast, a dramatic revision down from earlier estimates, gives the latest accounting of the ongoing memory crunch that is affecting every corner of the electronics industry. The demand for advanced memory to power artificial intelligence (AI) tasks has drained global supply until well into next year and jeopardizes the business model of many smartphone makers. IDC forecast about 1.1 billion mobile shipments this year, down from 1.26 billion the prior

The TAIEX ended down 319.40 points, or 0.9 percent, at 35,095.09, after foreign institutional investors sold a net NT$38.99 billion in shares on the market, Taiwan Stock Exchange’s data showed. A woman looks at her smartphone in front of an electronic stock board at the Taiwan Stock Exchange in Taipei yesterday. Oil prices surged as all eyes were on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade flows as well as 20 percent of its liquefied natural gas. By contrast, among non-tech stocks, Formosa Petrochemical Corp (台塑石化) benefited from higher oil prices, gaining 3.67 percent to end at NT$56.50. A prolonged spike in oil prices would risk reigniting inflationary pressures globally, while also acting as a tax on business and consumers that could dampen demand.

New car sales plummet 37% on fewer working daysBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterNew vehicle sales in Taiwan plunged about 37 percent sequentially last month as the long Lunar New Year holiday and 228 Peace Memorial Day holiday cut short the number of working days, along with the lingering uncertainty over import tax cuts on US vehicles, market researcher U-Car said in a report yesterday. New car sales last month totaled 22,043, slumping from 35,073 units in January and down 19.89 percent from 37,515 in February last year, U-Car data showed. New car sales this month are expected to rebound to 36,000 units, thanks to government tax incentives, including a deduction of up to NT$100,000 in commodity tax per car when retiring old vehicles, a major car distributor projected. Robust economic growth this year would also help stimulate car sales, Hotai said. Hotai sold 8,606 vehicles last month, down 17.1 percent year-on-year, with a market share of 39 percent.

Manufacturing PMI rises on chip, AI demand: S&PBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan’s manufacturing sector roared ahead last month, posting its most vigorous improvement in more than four years, as buoyant global demand for semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) applications fueled sharp gains in output and new orders, S&P Global said in a report yesterday. The S&P Global Taiwan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 55.2 from 51.7 in January, extending the expansion streak to a third consecutive month. Supplier delivery times lengthened at a faster pace last month, as vendors struggled to keep up with stronger demand and were reported to hold insufficient inventories, S&P Global said. As demand outpaced workforce growth, backlogs accumulated at the quickest rate since August 2021, it added. Manufacturers grew more optimistic about the 12-month outlook, with sentiment reaching its highest level since May 2024, buoyed by expectations that global demand — particularly for semiconductors and AI-related technologies — would remain supportive, S&P Global said.

NT$46m awarded in 41 White Terror compensation casesBy Hollie Younger / By Hollie YoungerCompensation of more than NT$46 million (US$1.46 million) across 41 cases involving victims of Taiwan’s authoritarian rule and the White Terror era have been approved, a government organization for restorative justice said today. Further cases included students detained and tortured during authoritarian rule and those whose belongings were looted by soldiers during the 228 Incident, it said. Families of White Terror victims lay bouquets of flowers at Taoyuan's 228 Memorial Park on Saturday. Photo: Hsieh Wu-hsiung, Taipei TimesThe White Terror era refers to the period of political persecution that began when Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) declared martial law in 1949. The compensation was awarded in accordance with the Act to Restore Victims’ Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule (威權統治時期國家不法行為被害者權利回復條例), it added.

Taiwanese association launched in DenmarkStaff writer, with CNAAn association aimed at promoting Taiwan's cultural diversity and highlighting its democratic values was inaugurated in Denmark on Saturday, concurrent with 228 Peace Memorial Day in Taiwan. The launch of the Taiwanese Association Denmark (TAD) not only marks the establishment of a new group serving Taiwanese in Denmark, but also underscores a shared commitment to remembering history and upholding Taiwan's democratic values, TAD president Huang Yi-min (黃伊敏) said at the founding ceremony. Taiwanese Association Denmark president Huang Yi-min, center, poses with two other guests at the association’s inaugural event in Denmark on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Taiwanese Association Denmark via CNATaiwan's democracy and freedom were not achieved overnight, but won through the sacrifices and struggles of countless people in dark times, Huang said. Taiwanese expatriates in Denmark — a nation that also values democracy and freedom — should deeply appreciate their Taiwanese heritage and help promote its importance, Huang said.

TPP to propose towing regulations targeting high feesBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAVehicle towing and roadside assistance should be heavily regulated, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Jacky Chen (陳清龍) said today, following reports of towing companies charging extraordinarily high fees. Disputes like these involving towing services are not uncommon, Jacky Chen said. “How much longer is the ministry going to sleep?” he asked, adding that people would continue to be ripped off by towing companies in the meantime. The amendment would require authorities to establish a standard contract for towing services, complete with required and prohibited clauses, he said. It would take effect three months after promulgation, preventing towing companies from continuing to take advantage of people in need, he added.

Yanshui fireworks festival begins in TainanStaff writer, with CNAThe annual Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival in Tainan — a tradition with more than 100 years of history — kicked off today with salvos of beehive fireworks, drawing crowds eager to experience the explosive spectacle. The two-day festival, traditionally held on the 14th and 15th days of the first month of the lunar calendar to celebrate the Lantern Festival, started at Yanshui Wu Temple (鹽水武廟), the event's main organizer. People shield from fireworks during the first day of the annual Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival in Tainan today. He said he hopes that the coming year, with the help of the deity's blessings, would be peaceful and free of natural disasters. The festival's procession is divided into five routes covering different areas of Yanshuei District (鹽水), with about 200 firecracker sets awaiting participants along the way, the temple said.

Ministry advises KMT to reconsider universal child healthcare subsidiesBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAA potential bill by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) calling for the government to pay all children’s health insurance costs would harm policies to support disadvantaged families, medical experts said today, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare advising the party to reconsider. The NHI is a universal social insurance built on mutual support, the ministry said today. The National Health Insurance logo is pictured in an undated photograph. The government also subsidizes medical fees for children under three and disadvantaged children under 18, it added. Subsidies for disadvantaged children under 18 cover hospitalization, nursing care fees, preventative evaluations and certain therapies, benefiting about 18,000 people, with subsidies totaling about NT$150 million annually, the ministry said.

Alishan cherry blossom season to begin March 10Staff writer, with CNAThe cherry blossom season at the Alishan National Scenic Area is to officially begin on Tuesday next week, although some trees are already in bloom, the Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters said today. The scenic area is home to 31 different cherry blossom varieties and other flowering plants, which are expected to bloom gradually throughout the season. People take photos of a special cherry blossoms-themed train with a century-old steam locomotive and open air carriages at Alishan National Scenic Area in Chiayi County on March 25 last year. Photo: Ann Wang, ReutersFormosan cherry (Prunus campanulata) and Okame cherry trees are already blooming, while Yoshino cherries are projected to bloom around the middle of this month. This year's cherry blossom season, which typically attracts about 150,000 visitors, is to run through April 10.

WBC warm-up game canceled due to weatherStaff writer, with CNATeam Taiwan's warm-up game against a Japanese professional farm team was canceled this morning due to poor weather, as the squad continued their preparations for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). Taiwan’s players huddle during their game against Cuba in their World Baseball Classic match at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 12, 2023. Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFEHowever, persistent rain forced the cancelation, leading the Taiwan team to pivot to indoor practice instead. The cancelation means that Team Taiwan has only one opportunity to fine-tune their play with the full roster in a matchup tomorrow against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' farm team. Taiwan are to play their first WBC game against Australia at the Tokyo Dome at 11am on Thursday (Taiwan time).

Court holds briefing on statute of limitations for child sexual abuseBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAAll eight sitting justices of the Constitutional Court met this morning for a closed-door briefing to assess whether it was constitutional for prosecutors to apply an older statute of limitations to dismiss a case of child sexual abuse dating back to the 1990s. Prior to the amendments, the statute of limitations was set at 20 years. The Constitutional Court convenes for oral arguments in an undated photograph. The Constitutional Court accepted the case, plus nine related petitions filed by others, including former legislator Chiu Hsien-chih (邱顯智). Taiwan’s statute of limitations has come under wider scrutiny recently, as the Executive Yuan in January advanced draft amendments to delay the start of the count for the statute of limitations to until a child sexual abuse victim turns 20.

Flights canceled amid Middle East airstrikesStaff writer, with CNAThree flights between Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were canceled today amid ongoing airstrikes in the region, which also caused the cancelation of six regional flights yesterday, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport's official Web site said. The canceled services today included two Emirates flights between Taoyuan and Dubai and one Etihad Airways service, code-shared with Starlux Airlines, between Taoyuan and Abu Dhabi. Aircraft operated by Emirates are pictured at the Dubai Air Show in the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 13, 2023. Photo: BloombergThe cancelations yesterday affected four Emirates flights between Taoyuan and Dubai and two Etihad Airways flights, codeshared with Starlux Airlines, between Taoyuan and Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways announced that all flights to Abu Dhabi before 6pm yesterday were canceled and said it was unclear when normal services would resume due to the ongoing situation.

Taiwan raises travel alerts for certain Middle Eastern countriesStaff writer, with CNAThe government has raised its travel warnings for several Middle Eastern countries affected by the ongoing regional conflict, following airstrikes by the US and Israel on Iran over the weekend. Photo: EPAUnder the ministry's four-tier travel alert system, advisories are classified as gray, yellow, orange and red, in ascending order of risk. The ministry had already raised the travel alert for Israel and Iran to the highest level after Israel and the US launched airstrikes on Iran on Saturday. As of today, no official requests had been made by Taiwanese nationals in the Middle East seeking government assistance for evacuation, the ministry said. The ministry said it has made contact with about 3,000 Taiwanese nationals in the Middle East, and they are all safe.