Doctor warns people about bacteria testWARNING: If the person is taking certain medications, it could cause ‘Helicobacter pylori’ test results to come back ‘false negative,’ Shu-Tien Clinic’s Kang Pen-chu saidBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterA doctor yesterday reminded people not to take certain types of drugs before getting a stool antigen test for Helicobacter pylori amid a one-time government-funded testing program for people aged 45 to 74. Wang later underwent a gastroscopy, which confirmed that she was infected with H. pylori. If a chronic infection is left untreated, the risk of developing gastric cancer increases over time, he said. Studies have also suggested that a H. pylori infection is significantly associated with anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, immune thrombocytopenia and metabolic syndrome, he said. Recurrent stomach discomfort is not necessarily caused by stomach ulcer, so instead of buying OTC drugs to relieve the symptoms, people should seek medical attention and undergo tests to clarify the cause, he added.

CHT issues audio warnings for hidden numbersBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterStarting Monday next week, Chunghwa Telecom’s (CHT) mobile phone service users would hear a seven-second audio warning in Mandarin and Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese), if they received calls from unknown numbers, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday. Phone calls by unknown numbers account for about 10 percent of the telephone traffic, with 99. 6 percent of recipients being mobile phone users, the commission said, citing data from telecoms and the National Police Agency. Calls from government agencies should not come from unknown numbers except for few agencies handling confidential or sensitive information, it said. Meanwhile, mobile phone users will also receive scam warnings for calls from numbers beginning with +886 9, the commission said.

Swallowing a tongue of fire, Yang stepped onto a firing vessel which was spun with her feet, and sent sparks flying. Taiwanese fire dancer Yang Li- wei introduces herself on the UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday. Taiwanese fire dancer Yang Li-wei performs in the UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday. “Being selected means I represent Asia and Taiwan,” Yang said calling it a worthwhile challenge. “I feel like this is not just about me — it represents my crew, Coming True Fire Group and the warm flames from Taiwan,” Yang said.

Farmers indicted over hiding swine fever outbreakStaff writer, with CNAProsecutors yesterday indicted a father and son for falsifying evidence to hide an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak at their pig farm in Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲) in October last year and demanded that the court give them heavy sentences. Animal health personnel disinfect a pig farm in Taichung on Oct. 31 last year. Investigators found that the younger Chen had uploaded photos taken in 2022 as false evidence of procedures in 2023 and last year. When pigs began dying in large numbers in October last year, the pair failed to report the suspected outbreak and instead administered antibiotics, prosecutors said. After inspections and mandatory testing, authorities confirmed ASF and culled 195 remaining pigs on Oct. 22 last year.

Control Yuan unit launches probe into forced relocationsBy Chen Chih-cheng and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Control Yuan’s Human Rights Committee yesterday launched an investigation into seven cases of forced relocations, saying the results would help the government develop better references for implementing urban transitional justice. The government’s lax regulations on real estate led to the forced relocation of people who settled where they could, highlighting the clash between public property management and living rights, the committee said. Academics and members of the Control Yuan’s Human Rights Committee hold placards at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei TimesControl Yuan member Tian Chiu-chin (田秋堇) said the committee’s efforts stemmed from suggestions made by international academics in 2022 that the government conduct a systematic investigation into forced relocations. The interviews would be analyzed by experts from July to September, and compiled into references and possible policy suggestions by the end of the year, Control Yuan member Kao Yung-cheng (高涌誠) said yesterday.

Canadian senators eyeing trade deal with Taiwan‘LIKE-MINDED PARTNER’: Tako van Popta said it would be inappropriate to delay signing the deal with Taiwan because of China, adding he would promote the issueBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNACanadian senators have stressed Taiwan’s importance for international trade and expressed enthusiasm for ensuring the Taiwan-Canada trade cooperation framework agreement is implemented this year. Carney told Canadian Broadcasting Corp that his government is capable of conducting trade with both Taiwan and China. “We have trade relations with Taiwan, but we’re focusing on strengthening our trade relations with China. Paramvir Bains of the Liberal Party told CNA that Canada is actively pursuing diversification of its trade, adding that Canada-Taiwan trade ties have been close for many years, and that Canada’s decision to improve trade ties with Beijing did not conflict with its willingness to do business with Taiwan. Taiwan is Canada’s sixth-largest trade partner in Asia, and its semiconductor industry enjoys global renown, he said, adding that Emtar Technologies, from his own constituency, Richmond, has close ties with Taiwan.

Lai awards top honor to SVG ambassador BowmanStaff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday bestowed one of Taiwan’s highest honors on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman in recognition of her contributions to bilateral ties. “By conferring the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Ambassador Bowman today, I want to sincerely thank her, on behalf of the Taiwanese people, for her outstanding contribution to deepening diplomatic ties between Taiwan and SVG,” Lai said at a ceremony held at the Presidential Office in Taipei. In her remarks, Bowman said she was “honored to receive this distinguished medal” on behalf of the government and people of SVG. Feeling “grateful” for the honor of serving as dean of the diplomatic corps since October 2022, Bowman said the corps symbolizes and represents Taiwan’s sovereignty. Veteran journalist Kenton Chance is due to replace Bowman as ambassador to Taiwan on March 1, 2026.

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

TPass rebates postponed due to budget deadlockBy Shelley Shan / Staff ReporterThe Highway Bureau yesterday said that cash rebates for TPass users would be delayed, as funding for the program has yet to be approved by the legislature. TPass 1.0 offers a fixed-priced monthly pass in different regions of the country, while TPass 2.0 expands the coverage with broader cross-city integration and broader regional access. The highway authority said on its Web site that the TPass 2.0 frequent rider program includes incentives such as TPass ride rewards for people aged 70 or older who voluntarily give back their driver’s licenses. Photo: Ge You-hao, Taipei TimesThe cashback for last month’s TPass usage was originally scheduled to be available for collection starting yesterday. The TPass commuter pass program serves about 698,000 passenger trips per month, while the TPass 2.0 frequent rider program serves about 379,000 passenger trips per month, bureau statistics showed.

Lai urges historical truth ahead of 228 anniversaryStaff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday that confronting Taiwan’s past requires truth rather than fear, stressing that a clear understanding of history is essential to strengthening the foundation of democracy. Democratic Progressive Party spokesman Justin Wu speaks at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. “Facing the past does not require fear, only truth,” Lai said, emphasizing that transitional justice is not about hatred or ideological confrontation but a process of remembrance, cleansing wounds and healing. As understanding of Taiwan’s history becomes clearer, he said, the democratic community’s foundation will grow more stable, urging unity to safeguard democracy and freedom. 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.

Trump-Takaichi meeting good for Taiwan: IzumiPOSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Japan and the US are expected to hold in-depth discussions on Taiwan-related issues during the meeting next month, Japanese sources saidBy Chen Yu-fu / Staff reporterThe holding of a Japan-US leaders’ meeting ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China is positive news for Taiwan, former Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association representative Hiroyasu Izumi said yesterday. Japan and the US are expected to hold in-depth discussions on Taiwan-related issues during the meeting, Japanese sources said. Holding the Japan-US leaders’ meeting is a positive development for Taiwan, Izumi said. Following the war in Ukraine, Europe has grown more wary of powerful nations, leading to a noticeable shift in its attitude toward Taiwan, Izumi said. Taiwan sits at the strategic crossroads of the East China Sea, South China Sea and western Pacific, he added.

Missiles on Yonaguni set for 2031AFP, TOKYOThe Japanese government plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles on one of its remote western islands near Taiwan by March 2031, the nation’s defense minister said on Tuesday. The defense ministry in 2022 announced a plan to ramp up air defenses on the island, which already hosts a Japanese military base. Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi said at a regular news conference in Tokyo that the deployment on Yonaguni island would take place in the 2030 fiscal year, which ends in March of the following calendar year. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, left, and Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi attend a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Tuesday. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November last year suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

Harden hails ‘special’ Cavs after win over KnicksAFP, LOS ANGELESThe Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday emphatically got back to winning ways in the NBA, coasting to a 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks as their recent star signing, James Harden, scored 20 points. The Charlotte Hornets’ Grant Williams and Kon Knueppel interact during their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Tuesday. “We’re working to build something special and each game is an opportunity to get better,” Harden said. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ James Harden, left, controls the ball as Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks defends during their NBA game at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday. Forward Jonathan Kuminga scored 27 points on his debut for the Atlanta Hawks in a 119-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

England’s Brook uncertain about staying up the orderReuters, PALLEKELE, Sri LankaHarry Brook smashed a match-winning hundred in Tuesday’s Super Eight match against Pakistan after being moved up the order to No. 3, but the England captain is unsure if he will stay in the new slot for the rest of the T20 World Cup. Brook struck 100 from 51 deliveries as England accomplished a tricky chase to be the first team to book a spot in the last four of the 20-team tournament. Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi looks on during their T20 Cricket World Cup Super Eights match against England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. When Tom Banton was caught behind off spinner Usman Tariq, England were 58-4, but Brook took on Pakistan from the start.

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 goalsAP, MILAN, ItalyWhat a difference a year makes. Photo: AFP“We know there’s a lot of competitiveness in the Champions League. The club reached the Champions League final, but were crushed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain. Inter’s Pio Esposito reacts during their UEFA Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday. Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, left, secures the ball during their UEFA Champions League match against Inter at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday.