India closer to dengue vaccine as final trial underwayPROMISING: DengiAll would become one of the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccines, and could become an affordable dengue vaccine for lower-income countriesAFP, NEW DELHIAs dengue surges globally, an Indian vaccine candidate has entered the final stage of testing, raising hopes for one of the world’s first single-dose shots against the deadly mosquito-borne disease. In India, final approval would come from the Drugs Controller General of India, while WHO prequalification would be required for large-scale international use. Experts said a successful Indian vaccine could be key to affordability and mass rollout in lower-income countries. Still, he cautioned that only phase three results would determine whether a candidate meets the criteria for a safe and effective dengue vaccine. “Only then can we have a useful dengue vaccine.

Inter exit after Bodo/Glimt lossHAT-TRICK: In the other games, Newcastle United and Leverkusen also advanced, as did Atletico Madrid, with Alexander Sorloth scoring three goals What a difference a year makes. Or nine months to be precise. Last season, Inter reached the UEFA Champions League final in style, with thrilling victories over Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but on Tuesday, the Italian giants limped out of the competition with a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Bodo/Glimt — knocked out in the playoff round 5-2 on aggregate — in what is being labeled as one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history. It was not the first major upset the tiny Norwegian team have pulled off this season after wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, and

Young generation keeps memory of 228 Incident aliveStaff writer, with CNANearly eight decades after the 228 Incident, civic groups are breathing new life into the preservation of a collective memory as part of a concerted effort to resist the erosion of history. The 228 Incident refers to an anti-government uprising that began on Feb. 28, 1947, after the brutal beating of a tobacco vendor in Taipei by government agents a day earlier. Young people march at an event commemorating the 228 Incident in Taipei today. During the march, the names of victims were read aloud in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese) and Hakka to honor their memory, Chang said. "There are few opportunities for our children to learn about the 228 Incident in their daily lives," she said.

CDC reports first domestic measles case of the yearBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan’s first domestic measles case of the year has been confirmed and more than 500 contacts are being monitored until March 17, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said today. The index case was an eight-month-old infant who got sick after returning from Vietnam at the end of last month and was later diagnosed with measles, as announced on Feb. 12, the CDC said. As measles is highly contagious, anyone who has had contact with a confirmed case should monitor their health and take protective measures, CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Min-cheng (林明誠) said. Measles outbreaks continue globally, with India, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam reporting cases since last year, the CDC said. Japan has reported 43 measles cases so far this year, the highest figure over the period in nearly seven years, with the most cases reported in Tokyo and Osaka, it said.

KMT chair hails 228 as Taiwan's first postwar democratic movementStaff writer, with CNAThe 228 Incident marked Taiwan's first major democratic movement after World War II, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said today, urging people to safeguard the nation's hard-earned democracy. Cheng, joined by senior KMT officials and civic group representatives, laid flowers at the 228 Peace Memorial Monument in Taipei's 228 Peace Memorial Park, and called on citizens to protect democratic rule of law, freedom of speech and judicial independence. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) visits the 228 Peace Memorial Monument in Taipei this morning. Taiwan's democratic and legal systems were forged through successive democratic movements and were intended to ensure an independent judiciary, Cheng said. The 228 Incident refers to civilian uprisings in Taiwan and the violent crackdown by the Nationalist government against them that began on Feb. 28, 1947.

Taitung wildfire destroys 50 hectares, still burningBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAA fire that broke out yesterday north of the Jhihben River (知本溪) estuary in Taitung has destroyed more than 50 hectares, with firefighters unable to extinguish the blaze. The fire broke out in an undeveloped area north of the Jhihben River estuary at about 5pm yesterday and spread fast, fueled by dry weeds, dead wood and strong winds off the coast. When the Taitung County Fire Department arrived, the area was already engulfed in flames, authorities said. A forest fire burns north of the Jhihben River estuary in Taitung yesterday. The fire was still burning as of 8am this morning and more than 50 hectares were estimated to have been destroyed, the fire department said.

Gynecologist indicted in child sexual image caseStaff writer, with CNANew Taipei City prosecutors yesterday indicted a gynecologist for allegedly possessing and distributing a large volume of sexual images of children, including material believed to have been secretly recorded during medical consultations with underage patients. The defendant, surnamed Lo (羅), abused his professional position over many years to obtain and circulate illicit material, the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said. The entrance to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office is pictured in an undated photograph. The case came to light after police in Tainan uncovered an online group used to share sexual images of children and allegedly identified Lo, a gynecologist practicing in Taoyuan, as a member. Lo later joined multiple online groups centered on child sexual content and acted as a supplier by uploading files in his possession, prosecutors said.

US think tank calls for ‘hellscape’ drone strategy for TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAA US think tank has urged Taiwan to adopt a "hellscape" strategy that would flood the Taiwan Strait with drones and other uncrewed systems to deter a potential invasion by China. Rather than relying primarily on high-end, limited-number platforms, such as advanced fighter jets or large surface ships, the hellscape concept emphasizes quantity, dispersion and resilience. The study calls for the mass production of affordable drones — including long-range strike systems and first-person view drones — that can operate in contested communications environments. It also recommends building domestic manufacturing capacity and integrating uncrewed systems into a coherent doctrine that links sensors, shooters and command networks. Most recently, as part of a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) eight-year special defense budget, Taiwan wants to purchase more than 200,000 uncrewed aerial vehicles and 1,000-plus uncrewed surface vehicles, with many of them produced domestically.

Friction test finally pins down the sneaker squeakAP, NEW YORKAs he watched the Boston Celtics play from the stands of TD Garden, one noise kept catching Adel Djellouli’s ear. “This squeaking sound when players are sliding on the floor is omnipresent,” he said. Other researchers have studied these kinds of bursts before, but this sneaker study examines friction happening at much faster speeds — and for the first time, it links the speedy pulses with the squeaking sound they produce. Understanding friction better could help scientists better understand how the Earth’s tectonic plates slide and grind during earthquakes, or to save energy by reducing friction and wear. Could scientists eventually fine-tune shoes to squeak in a pitch so high human cannot even hear it?

Spurs rally past Raptors for 10th straight victoryReutersDevin Vassell on Wednesday scored 21 points as the visiting San Antonio Spurs rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Toronto Raptors 110-107 for their 10th consecutive win in the NBA. De’Aaron Fox added 20 points for the Spurs, while Victor Wembanyama produced 12 points and five blocked shots. Brandon Ingram tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost two straight, and Immanuel Quickley also scored 20 points. Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl each had 15 points, while R.J. Barrett and Jamal Shead logged 12 apiece. Bucks 118, Cavaliers 116Kevin Porter Jr hit the game-winner in the final seconds and scored 20 points to lead hosts Milwaukee to a victory over short-handed Cleveland.

Stray cats reported to remember the hand that feedsDO THEY BITE IT? Cats have better memories than people might think, but their motivation is based entirely around the chance of getting fed Cats can remember the identity of the people who fed them the day before, Taipei-based veterinarians said on Friday, debunking a popular myth that cats have a short memory. If a stray does not recognize the person who fed them the previous day, it is likely because they are not carrying food and the cat has no reason to recognize them, said Wu Chou Animal Hospital head Chen Chen-huan (陳震寰). “When cats come to a human bearing food, it is coming for the food, not the person,” he said. “The food is the key.” Since the cat’s attention is on the food, itBy Jonathan Chin

Lai honors baseball home run legend Sadaharu OhStaff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on baseball legend Sadaharu Oh (王貞治), honoring his lifelong contributions to the sport in Taiwan and Japan. During the ceremony at the Presidential Office, Lai praised the 85-year-old icon as a “global baseball hero,” whose legendary “flamingo” leg kick helped him set a world record of 868 home runs. “Mr Oh is the shared pride of both Japan and Taiwan,” Lai said, adding that his spirit of isshou kenmei, or total dedication to one’s calling, moved fans around the world. Baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, left, holds up a sweatshirt presented to him by President William Lai at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. From left, Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an, baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, President William Lai and Premier Cho Jung-tai pose in Oh’s signature “golden rooster” pitching stance at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.

Chiang Kai-shek bears main responsibility for 228 Incident: Academia headStaff writer, with CNAThe head of Academia Historica said yesterday that Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) bears the greatest responsibility for the 228 Incident, noting that Chiang, who then led the National Government, sided with then-provincial governor Chen Yi (陳儀) and allowed the perpetrators to go unpunished. Academia Historica president Chen Yi-shen speaks at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. According to Chen Yi-shen, Chiang Kai-shek largely ignored dissenting voices and was highly selective in the information he chose to accept, preferring to listen to Chen Yi. Furthermore, when those responsible were later called to account, both Chen Yi and others, including Kaohsiung Fortress Headquarters chief Peng Meng-chi (彭孟緝), escaped punishment, he added. The combination of official complicity, the rapid deployment of troops, and the subsequent lack of accountability were major reasons why the 228 Incident became a deep scar in Taiwanese society, Chen Yi-shen said.

Ex-fire chief receives 55-year-eight-month sentenceStaff writer, with CNAFormer National Fire Agency (NFA) chief Huang Chi-min (黃季敏) was found guilty on seven corruption-related charges with a combined sentence of 55 years and eight months, although four other counts would be subject to a retrial, the Supreme Court said yesterday. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s April 2022 ruling, which found Huang guilty on seven charges — including bribery, money laundering and profiteering — and handed down a sentence of 55 years and eight months. Citing factual ambiguities, insufficient reasoning and contradictions in the judgements, the Supreme Court vacated the High Court’s rulings on four other counts and remanded the cases to the lower court for retrial. Former National Fire Agency director-general Huang Chi-min speaks at a news conference in an undated photograph. Photo: CNAHuang’s total prison term would be determined by the Taiwan High Court, and he might begin serving the sentence before the court rules on a consolidated sentence and concludes the retrial on the four charges, the Supreme Court said.

Guest stays surpass pre-COVID-19 levelsBy Shelley Shan / Staff ReporterThe hotel and accommodation industry recorded 82.09 million guest stays last year, a 3.29 million increase from 2024 and surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwanese travelers accounted for 61.32 million of hotel stays, up from 59.86 million in 2024 and 51.53 million in 2019, while the number of international visitors rose by 1.83 million from 2024, the administration said. That showed that the nation’s lodging industry has recovered from the pandemic and is moving toward relatively stable development, it said. Nearly 80 percent of the hotel room prices were below the national average, it said. To achieve that, the government plans to invest NT$772.4 billion to upgrade airport facilities and improve road connectivity, it said.