Opposition still dragging heels on passing total budget
Opposition still dragging heels on passing total budgetBy Su Yung-yao, Liu Wan-lin and Esme Yeh / Staff reportersThe Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) plan to review and pass part of the central government’s general budget would be “a good job half done” if the rest of the budget remains shelved, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. In response to media queries for comment, Lai yesterday said it is good for the KMT to realize the significance of the central government’s budget to people’s livelihoods. Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers hold up placards urging review of the central government’s general budget at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on Friday. The KMT should allow all the central government’s budget bills to be reviewed by relevant legislative committees and facilitate their passage at the legislature as soon as possible, he said. Or that you just have been obsessed with political manipulation and blaming opposition parties every day?” she said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Reptile race
Taiwan sees Maduro arrest as deterrentNOT AN OPENING: Trump’s violation of international law does not affect China’s consideration in attacking Taiwan; Beijing lacks capability, not precedent, an official said Taiwanese officials see the US’ capture of the president of Venezuela as a powerful deterrent to Beijing’s aggression and a timely reminder of the US’ ability to defeat militaries equipped with Chinese-made weapons. The strikes that toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signaled to authoritarian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), US President Donald Trump’s willingness to use military might for international affairs core to US interests, one senior official in Taipei’s security circle said. That reassured Taiwan, the person said. Taipei has also dismissed the idea that Trump’s apparent violation of international law could embolden Beijing, said the official, who was not
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Anime exhibition
Taiwan sees Maduro arrest as deterrentNOT AN OPENING: Trump’s violation of international law does not affect China’s consideration in attacking Taiwan; Beijing lacks capability, not precedent, an official said Taiwanese officials see the US’ capture of the president of Venezuela as a powerful deterrent to Beijing’s aggression and a timely reminder of the US’ ability to defeat militaries equipped with Chinese-made weapons. The strikes that toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signaled to authoritarian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), US President Donald Trump’s willingness to use military might for international affairs core to US interests, one senior official in Taipei’s security circle said. That reassured Taiwan, the person said. Taipei has also dismissed the idea that Trump’s apparent violation of international law could embolden Beijing, said the official, who was not
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Pesticide screening capacity to grow: ministry
Pesticide screening capacity to grow: ministryBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterMore than 80,000 potential pesticide residue cases were tested via rapid screening with mass spectrometry over the past three years, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Agency said, adding that its annual screening capacity would be boosted to 50,000 cases this year. Photo: Tsai Cheng-min, Taipei TimesThe agency aims to increase its annual screening capacity to 50,000 cases this year, after it passed its 40,000-case goal last year with the screening of 40,470 cases, Chen said. These pretreatment stations not only make it convenient for agricultural workers to use the screening service, but also facilitate the screening process by conducting pretreatments, including homogenization, shaking and extraction, he said. Rapid screening test results can inform agricultural workers about the pesticide residue amounts before produce enters the market, the ministry said. Submitters whose samples are found to have pesticide residues would be required to delay the harvest and undergo screening again, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Rocket artillery system could change army’s role
Wang said the proven rocket artillery system would significantly bolster the army’s long-range precision strike capabilities and that the acquisition could alter the army’s role. The army would no longer have to rely entirely on the navy or air force, Wang said; instead, the army could support operations in an anti-aircraft role. A missile is fired from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a live-fire drill in Pingtung in May last year. Lockheed Martin completed proof-of-concept tests using the HIMARS to launch modified AMRAAM missiles at the White Sands Missile Range in 2009. After the completion of deliveries, Taiwan will have 111 launchers, the largest concentration of HIMARS outside of the US Army, which fields 400, Wang said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
ANALYSIS:Raid on Taiwan leadership unlikely: experts
A Taiwan flag flutters in Keelung as China conducts “Justice Mission 2025” military drills on December 30, 2025. China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to faxed questions from Reuters. Taiwan is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense, President William Lai (賴清德) said last month, after Beijing fired rockets toward Taiwan as part of its military drills. The drills surrounding Taiwan — the most extensive to date — were accompanied by strong messaging from Chinese officials and the military. In July, Taiwan’s military staged a drill to protect Taipei’s main airport from a hostile landing.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Man sets himself on fire at Banciao filling station
Man sets himself on fire at Banciao filling stationStaff writer, with CNAA man who allegedly set himself on fire at a fuel station in New Taipei City on Friday afternoon is in an intensive care unit, police said yesterday. The New Taipei City Fire Department said that it at 5:44pm on Friday received a report that a man had self-immolated at a CPC Corp, Taiwan gas station on Minzu Road in Banciao District (板橋). Police cordon off an area of a filling station in New Taipei City’s Banciao District after a man allegedly set himself on fire on Friday afternoon. Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Police DepartmentThe man was restrained at the scene and sustained second-degree burns, it said. However, it did not comment on whether the man set himself on fire.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Minister applauds tightening ties with Israel in tech fields
Minister applauds tightening ties with Israel in tech fieldsStaff writer, with CNATaiwan and Israel share many common interests and the two sides are likely to cooperate more closely in the tech, medical and defense realms, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) said in an interview published on Friday. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu speaks in an interview with the Liberty Times in Taipei on Wednesday. Another area in which Taiwan and Israel share an interest is Somaliland, Wu said. Taiwan has developed ties with Somaliland, opening a representative office in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, in 2020, and it welcomed Israel’s decision. Taiwan would continue to deepen cooperation with Somaliland, Wu said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:15 UTC
Ebnoutalib savors ‘dream’ debut win
Ebnoutalib savors ‘dream’ debut winAFP, BERLINNew Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib crowned a dream Bundesliga debut with a second-half goal in a rollercoaster 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Friday. Thrown into the starting eleven on his debut, Ebnoutalib smashed home an ice-cool finish midway through the second half before the drama continued with two goals in stoppage time. “It’s like a dream, I’m still a bit speechless,” Ebnoutalib said. Photo: AFPFrankfurt coach Dino Toppmoeller said that he had decided a day before the game to put Ebnoutalib in the starting line-up. Ebnoutalib headed a good chance wide just after the break as Frankfurt took control of the game in the second half.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Wrexham shut down top-tier Forest’s FA Cup run
Wrexham shut down top-tier Forest’s FA Cup runAP, WREXHAM, WalesThe big guns entered the FA Cup on Friday and one of them was shot down immediately. Championship club Wrexham AFC knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest FC 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling match ended 3-3 after 90 minutes and extra time. Wrexham AFC players react after goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, right, made a save to win the penalty shoot-out during their FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest FC in Wrexham, Wales, on Friday. James MacLean missed for Wrexham, but Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to send the home fans into raptures. Friday’s win was another memorable chapter in the rise of the Welsh club that was bought in 2021 by Hollywood pair Reynolds and McElhenney.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Switzerland make United Cup final in baking Sydney heat
Switzerland make United Cup final in baking Sydney heatAFP, SYDNEYStan Wawrinka lost in three sets in grueling Sydney heat of more than 40°C, but Switzerland beat Belgium yesterday to reach their first United Cup final. Switzerland won 2-1, with Belinda Bencic playing a starring role, and will face either holders the US or Poland in today’s decider. The Olympic champion Bencic put Switzerland on their way in the semi-finals with a battling 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/0) win over Elise Mertens in 2 hours, 37 minutes. Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka returns against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs during their United Cup semi-final Sydney yesterday. Wawrinka, playing his final year before retirement, fought back to force a deciding set against Zizou Bergs, but the Belgian ultimately won 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in two-and-a-half hours in the searing heat.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Thunder rally to edge Grizzlies
Thunder rally to edge GrizzliesAFP, LOS ANGELESJalen Williams scored 26 points and Kenrich Williams added 21 as NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 21-point third-quarter deficit to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 117-116 on Friday. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, left, shoots as Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale defends during their NBA game in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday. Photo: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images“Great resilience by the team,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesMorant missed his fourth straight game with a calf injury amid reports the Grizzlies would consider trade offers for him. Payton Pritchard scored 27 points to lead six Celtics players in double figures.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Sabalenka reaches third Brisbane final
Sabalenka reaches third Brisbane finalAUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE: Sabalenka aims to follow up with a third Australian Open win, while Taiwanese Joanna Garland claimed a WTA 125 title in CanberraAFP and CNA, BRISBANE, AustraliaAryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row yesterday, a week ahead of the Australian Open. Tennis players Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, center, left, and Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan, center, right, hold their trophy after winning the women’s doubles final at the Brisbane International tennis tournament yesterday. Aryna Sabalenka returns to Karolina Muchova during their women’s Brisbane International singles semi-final match in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday. Meanwhile, Taiwanese tennis veteran Hsieh Su-wei and her Latvian partner Jelena Ostapenko cruised to an easy finish to capture the Brisbane International women’s doubles title yesterday. The victory at the Brisbane tournament also marked the first time Hsieh won a title alongside Ostapenko and gave the 40-year-old added confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Just dune it
Gilgeous-Alexander rescues ThunderMOTHER KNOWS BEST: Warriors’ coach Kerr said his 91-year-old mother criticized him for his attitude toward officials that led to his ejection from Monday’s game Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Wednesday rescued the Oklahoma City Thunder with a game-tying buzzer-beater before finishing with 46 points in a 129-125 overtime victory against the Utah Jazz. The reigning NBA champions looked to be heading for a third straight loss after the Jazz inched into a 114-112 lead following Lauri Markkanen’s layup with just three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. However, NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander drained a superb 13-foot jump shot to tie it up at 114-114 as the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander then took over in the extra period with nine points as the Western
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC
Eligibility for flu antiviral medicine to be expanded
Eligibility for flu antiviral medicine to be expandedBy Chiu Chih-jou / Staff reporter, with CNAEligibility for government-funded influenza antiviral drugs would be expanded from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28 to include seven groups considered to be at higher risk of spreading the virus, as the flu is predicted to enter an epidemic period at the end of the month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Photo: Taipei TimesThe CDC said while it typically broadens eligibility during the epidemic period, the expansion from Jan. 20 is a preemptive preparation. Rhinovirus infections in Taiwan increased slightly recently, but rhinovirus and adenoviruses are still the second and third-most common viruses respectively in the nation, and have not exceeded the number of flu viruses, he said. The rhinovirus tends to infect the upper respiratory tract and rarely extends to the lower respiratory tract, Lin said. If that is the case, the child should be taken to see a doctor as soon as possible, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC