Walking to tunes
Air quality to deteriorate nationwide from tomorrowA strong continental cold air mass is to bring pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, the Ministry of Environment said today, as it issued an “orange” air quality alert for most of the country. All of Taiwan except for Hualien and Taitung counties is to be under an “orange” air quality alert tomorrow, indicating air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. In China, areas from Shandong to Shanghai have been enveloped in haze since Saturday, the ministry said in a news release. Yesterday, hourly concentrations of PM2.5 in these areas ranged from 65 to 160 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m³), and pollutants wereBy Kayleigh Madjar
Source:Taipei Times
January 09, 2026 02:14 UTC
Nestle issues preemptive recall of formula powder
Nestle issues preemptive recall of formula powderStaff writer, with CNAThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday said that Nestle has preemptively recalled 83,496 cans of formula powder over potential contamination of toxin cereulide, amid a global recall of the global food company's products over the week. Nestle Taiwan yesterday self-reported that two batches of its products sold in Taiwan, the Illuma Infant Growth Formula (啟賦幼兒成長專用配方, batch No. 51690017C1) and the Illuma Toddler Growth Formula (啟賦幼童成長專用配方, batch No. A can of the Nestle Illuma Infant Growth Formula is pictured in an undated photograph. The agency said it has been closely monitoring global recall alerts and on Tuesday confirmed that the affected batches identified by authorities in other countries have not been imported into Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
January 09, 2026 01:49 UTC
Chinese captain convicted of damaging undersea cable deported
Chinese captain convicted of damaging undersea cable deportedStaff writer, with CNAA Chinese fishing boat captain convicted of damaging the Taiwan-Matsu No. 2 undersea cable last year was deported to China yesterday after paying a fine and compensation, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said. A coast guard officer monitors a boat at sea in an undated photograph. The court said that with years of experience as a captain, Wu should have been aware the area was covered by telecommunications cables, but still negligently damaged the cable. 3 undersea cable in February last year and was sentenced to three years in prison, showing Taiwan's judiciary is independent and applies clear sentencing standards.
Source:Taipei Times
January 09, 2026 01:49 UTC
Flim Review: A hostage drama crackles in ‘Dead Man’s Wire’
Cary Elwes in a scene from Dead Man’s Wire. We’re never given many specifics, but at the same time, there’s little doubt in Dead Man’s Wire that Tony’s cause is just. The straightforward, jittery intensity of his performance propels Dead Man’s Wire. But Dead Man’s Wire still works. The tragedy in Dead Man’s Wire is just how elusive “I’m sorry” can be.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 20:12 UTC
Soccer referees, staff left unpaid amid CTFA delay
Soccer referees, staff left unpaid amid CTFA delayTRANSITION TROUBLES: The association said that its finances had been frozen during the transition to new leadership following the previous chair’s resignationBy Liang Wei-ming and Jason Pan / Staff reportersSoccer referees and staff said they are still owed wages for working a tournament in November last year in another financial dispute embroiling the Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA). Players compete in the national U12 soccer championship in Taitung County in November last year. The referees and staff said they decided to turn to local media after failing to get an adequate response from the CTFA officials in charge of the competition. Former CTFA chairman Wang Lin-hsiang (王麟祥) announced his resignation in November last year amid perceived mismanagement, financial scandals and an international losing streak. He later served as head of the Taiwan Junior Soccer Association, founded the online soccer Web site GoGoal.com and was owner of the women’s soccer club Valkyrie FC.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Police receive praise for locating missing persons
Police receive praise for locating missing personsBy Tang Shih-ming and Jason Pan / Staff reportersPolice detectives and their staff in Changhua County have received praise for their diligence after recording a 90 percent success rate in locating or identifying missing persons in the past five years. Photo courtesy of the Changhua County Police Department“We knew that New Taipei City had started to collect DNA samples for found missing persons in their jurisdiction. “It is my core belief that one must have empathy for the families when working on missing persons cases. After the initial golden period, DNA testing can provide another opportunity to find the missing person, she added. “Afterward, the police officer would ask for consent to post a public ‘missing person’ notice, and permission to have photographs added to the police file,” she said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Separate surrogacy from reproduction bill: DPP caucus
Separate surrogacy from reproduction bill: DPP caucusBy Lin Che-yuan and Esme Yeh / Staff reporters, with CNAThe Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday called for the decoupling of surrogacy issues from the Assisted Reproduction Act (人工生殖法), while opposition party caucuses proposed draft amendments with sections dedicated to surrogacy. The Cabinet’s draft focuses on enhancing the quality of assisted reproduction services, improving the rights and benefits of children born through assisted reproduction — such as the right to blood recognition and status as children born in wedlock — and ensuring the reproductive health of women using assisted reproduction. During the meeting, DPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) said that surrogacy issues should be addressed through separate legislation, as it remain a contentious issue. Other countries’ attitudes toward surrogacy have significantly changed over the past decade, DPP Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) said. Many European countries have shifted to banning surrogacy, while India has banned commercial surrogacy and legalized only altruistic surrogacy, she said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Animal welfare largely ignored: group
Animal welfare largely ignored: groupSHORTCOMINGS: While the livestock industry is increasingly engaged in animal-friendly farming, there has been little support from the food industry, the group saidBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterOnly two companies in the food industry incorporated animal welfare as a material topic in their sustainability reports last year, the Environmental and Animal Society of Taiwan said yesterday, urging the Financial Supervisory Commission to introduce mandatory regulations. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Jean Kuo, second left, and representatives of the Environmental and Animal Society of Taiwan hold up signs at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. None of the 58 inspected companies has set up concrete policies or departments dedicated to animal welfare, she said. Many global organizations, as well as the WHO, consider animal welfare one of the most important sustainability indicators for the food industry and a key aspect to its global competitiveness, Chen said. The commission would explore whether animal welfare should be specified in the rules to mandate relevant sustainability disclosures for the food industry, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Kaohsiung, Taichung to give free school lunches
Kaohsiung, Taichung to give free school lunchesEQUALITY NEEDED: It is good that the government is paying attention to school lunches, but it is unfair student welfare varies by location, a federation saidStaff writer, with CNAStudents at public elementary and junior high schools in Kaohsiung and Taichung are to receive free lunches starting from the 2026-2027 school year, the two cities announced yesterday. Democratic Progressive Party councilors said they hoped the quality of school lunches would not be compromised by their “free” status, and that the city should propose concrete funding sources and implementation plans. Taoyuan has been providing free school lunches for elementary and junior high schools since the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year, while Taipei announced the same policy for all elementary and junior high schools on Tuesday. New Taipei City and Tainan provide school lunch subsidies for disadvantaged students in public schools. Yilan, Hualien, Changhua, Nantou, Hsinchu, Lienchiang, Kinmen, Penghu, Miaoli and Taitung counties, as well as Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hsinchu City are providing or are to provide free lunches in elementary and junior high schools.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Tigerair Taiwan to upgrade, expand airline services
Tigerair Taiwan to upgrade, expand airline servicesBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterTigerair Taiwan yesterday said it aims to further explore business opportunities generated by transit passengers and solidify its brand as a quality low-cost carrier through upgraded services this year. Tigerair Taiwan chairwoman Joyce Huang, second left, gestures with other airline representatives at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-hung, Taipei TimesBy 2028, the average service years of the aircraft in Tigerair Taiwan’s fleet would be 3.1 years, Tigerair Taiwan chairwoman Joyce Huang (黃世惠) said in her presentation. Many Southeast Asian tourists want to travel to Tottori and Oita prefectures, while Japanese from second-tier cities might want to board Tigerair Taiwan and travel to Southeast Asian countries. For in-flight dining, Tigerair Taiwan would collaborate with several well-known brands to offer a more premium and enjoyable meal experience onboard.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:14 UTC
Gilgeous-Alexander rescues Thunder
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 gameAFP, LOS ANGELESShai 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. 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. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, shoots against the Utah Jazz during their NBA game in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Wednesday. “We just tried to stay in the moment and do whatever it took to get the W,” Gilgeous-Alexander said afterward. “I’m happy she got on Steve, that’s great,” Draymond Green said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:13 UTC
England cricket launches review into Ashes debacle
England cricket launches review into Ashes debacleAFP, SYDNEYThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) yesterday said it had launched an immediate and “thorough” review following the tourists’ defeat in the fifth and final Ashes Test. England’s preparations, coaching and off-field behavior all came under the microscope during a demoralizing series in Australia, which they lost 4-1. However, “we were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest and Australia ultimately deserved to retain the Ashes,” he added. Our focus is on regaining the Ashes in 2027.”“A thorough review of the campaign is already under way,” he said. “That’s Ashes cricket.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:13 UTC
Semiconductor analysis companies do good trade
Semiconductor analysis companies do good tradeBy Lisa Wang / Staff ReporterMajor semiconductor material and failure analysis services providers Materials Analysis Technology Inc (MA-tek, 閎康) and Msscorps Co (汎銓科技) reported record annual revenue for last year, benefiting from strong demand amid an artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Photo: EPACSPs are expected to roll out new-generation AI ASICs every one to two years on average, MA-tek said, citing market researcher TrendForce Corp’s (集邦科技) analysis. To make faster technology migration possible amid shorter chip designing time, chip developers have proactively adopted advanced chip manufacturing technologies, which have stimulated demand for chip burn-in tests and reliability analysis, it said. Additionally, chipmakers want to enhance production yields as manufacturing becomes more complicated, boosting demand for the company’s services, MA-tek said. The company attributed its strong performance to customers’ migration to advanced technologies and strong demand for advanced packaging technology, which has led to rising demand for material analysis for AI chips, as well as for inspection and analysis of silicon photonics, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:12 UTC
Eclat Textile optimistic about sales this quarter
Eclat Textile optimistic about sales this quarterBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterEclat Textile Co (儒鴻) yesterday projected that sales this quarter would be flat or slightly higher than the previous quarter, as brand clients are expected to resume orders after reaching healthier inventory levels. The company’s optimistic outlook is also supported by some orders being deferred from last quarter to this quarter due to shipping schedule problems, Eclat spokesperson Tiffany Lin (林芬如) told the state-run Central News Agency. As brand clients reported stronger-than-expected sales over the year-end holiday shopping season in the US, the company is cautiously optimistic about this year’s business prospects, with order visibility of about six months from now, Lin said. Eclat Textile Co’s logo is pictured at the company’s booth during a textile trade show in Taipei on Oct. 15, 2024. We also expect the FIFA World Cup to boost restocking orders and demand this year, helping drive a sales recovery for Eclat,” it added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:12 UTC
Wistron, Quanta see robust year
Wistron, Quanta see robust yearBy Meryl Kao / Staff reporterWistron Corp (緯創) yesterday reported revenue last month surged 141.59 percent year-on-year to NT$255.25 billion (US$8.1 billion), a company record for December, driven by strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) servers. Last year, the company shipped 24.1 million notebook computers, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier. Separately, Quanta Computer Inc (廣達) yesterday reported record revenue of NT$272.5 billion for last month, a 94.5 percent year-on-year surge, driven by robust AI server shipments. Quanta said server revenue last year met its goal for triple-digit annual growth and expects revenue this year to double from last year, adding that it has order visibility for AI servers through next year. Both figures are likely to increase further this quarter, a Quanta official said yesterday.
Source:Taipei Times
January 08, 2026 17:12 UTC