3 men, Tokyo Electron Taiwan indicted over new TSMC trade secret theft
3 men, Tokyo Electron Taiwan indicted over new TSMC trade secret theftStaff writer, with CNAThe Taiwan High Prosecutors Office Intellectual Property Branch yesterday indicted three individuals and Tokyo Electron Taiwan Ltd for stealing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC, 台積電) 14-nanometer (14nm) technology secrets. The individuals included Chen Li-ming (陳力銘), a former TSMC engineer who worked at Tokyo Electron Taiwan, a TSMC employee surnamed Chen (陳), and a Tokyo Electron Taiwan employee surnamed Lu (盧), the prosecutors office said in a statement. Photo: Ann Wang, ReutersThe case came to light when prosecutors were investigating Tokyo Electron Taiwan for the alleged theft of TSMC trade secrets related to its 2nm process. Chen Li-ming, along with two others, were indicted in August last year for stealing TSMC’s 2nm technology. Tokyo Electron Taiwan was indicted last month on four violations of the Trade Secrets Act (營業秘密法) and National Security Act for failing to properly supervise Chen Li-ming, with prosecutors seeking a total penalty of NT$120 million.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
KMT’s Kinmen bill is a security threat, DPP says
KMT’s Kinmen bill is a security threat, DPP saysBy Lin Tse-yuan / Staff reporterChinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Yu-jen’s (陳玉珍) proposed amendments for outlying islands would turn Kinmen County into a “special trade zone” for China, posing a serious economic and military threat to Taiwan, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said yesterday. From left, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers Puma Shen, Fan Yun, Chung Chia-pin and Chen Pei-yu hold a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNAThe KMT has introduced numerous versions of the amendments over the years, which faced pushback and criticism from the public, DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said. “No matter what version the KMT proposed, the bills were not that different,” Shen said. Chen’s proposal would open a backdoor for Chinese influence, with the free-trade zones enabling Beijing to enhance its political and economic influence over Taiwan, DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Vibing in Kaohsiung
Missile mass production to commence in Q2: officialTaiwan is to commence mass production of the Tien Kung (天弓, “Sky Bow”) III, IV and V missiles by the second quarter of this year if the legislature approves the government’s NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.78 billion) special defense budget, an official said yesterday. Commenting on condition of anonymity, a defense official with knowledge of the matter said that the advanced systems are expected to provide crucial capabilities against ballistic and cruise missiles for the proposed “T-Dome,” an advanced, multi-layered air defense network. The Tien Kung III is an air defense missile with a maximum interception altitude of 35km. The Tien Kung IV and VBy Lo Tien-pin and Jonathan Chin
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Tourist bear warnings urged
Tourist bear warnings urgedBy Shelley Shan / Staff ReporterTravel agents arranging tours to Japan should warn tourists about potential bear attacks when doing outdoor activities, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. The nation’s tourism authority issued the notice to the travel agencies nationwide, reminding them to inform their clients about bear danger before leaving for Japan if the itineraries include outdoor activities in the mountainous areas. Visitors take souvenir photos next to a bear warning sign at Shirakawa-go, Japan, in 2025. Even in winter, bear attacks were reported near popular tourist attractions in Japan. said that chances of bear attacks are lower in winter, as bears are in hibernation.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
EDITORIAL: Monetary outlook for the year
EDITORIAL: Monetary outlook for the yearBenefiting from Taiwan’s strong economic growth and stable inflation, the central bank at its quarterly board meeting on Dec. 18 last year kept its policy rates unchanged for the seventh consecutive quarter since its most recent rate hikes in March 2024. This year, the central bank’s monetary policy would remain a focus of the market. Based on messages delivered at last month’s board meeting, the central bank seems determined to follow its own path. In a nutshell, there is adequate leeway for the central bank to keep rates unchanged this year, while observing how the global economy evolves and what monetary policies its global peers implement. The main challenge for Taiwan is whether it could take advantage of the evolution of AI to pave the way for its long-term, sustainable economic growth.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Military have plan to protect Lai: Hsu
Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, center, speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday. At the legislative committee meeting on this year’s defense budget, Hsu told lawmakers that Venezuela’s weapons, obtained from China and Russia, proved to be far inferior to US weapons. The issue was not only the origin of the weapons, but that they had been poorly maintained, Hsu said. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) said that the opposition’s continued blocking of a proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill would impact national security. Each day that the defense budget is delayed consumes precious preparation time, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:44 UTC
Sunset serenade for Taiwan’s squatty potties
Sunset serenade for Taiwan’s squatty pottiesBy Wu Po-hsuan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Environment yesterday called for the public to abandon squat toilets and switch to seated toilet. Additionally, environmental and bacterial contamination in the bathroom from squat toilets is thousands of times greater than that of sitting toilets, he said. People look at a toilet-themed art installation at the main lobby of the Ministry of Environment in Taipei yesterday. Friends of Daan Forest Park Foundation managing director Tsai Chien-sheng (蔡建生) said that many countries generally use seated toilets, and some visitors from Europe or the US have never used squat toilets in their lives. “When they visit Taiwan and open the bathroom door, they may be shocked,” he said, adding Taiwan is the only country in Asia still adding squat toilets.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:43 UTC
Delays put NT$299bn at risk: DGBAS
An additional NT$17 billion for the first and second reserve funds, and disaster preparedness would also be unavailable, she said. Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Minister Chen Shu-tzu speaks at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee in Taipei yesterday. The Finance Committee yesterday heard from the DGBAS, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance and the Ocean Affairs Council on the effects of the stalled budget. Another NT$72.5 billion for reserve force readiness, military exercises, force development and personnel training would also be affected, she said. “Failure to pass the general budget would undermine national defense and security, and hinder public infrastructure and social welfare projects,” Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:43 UTC
A Taiwanese in Venezuela shares perspective on Maduro arrest
A Taiwanese in Venezuela shares perspective on Maduro arrestStaff writer, with CNAWhile some Venezuelans celebrated the arrest of their president in a US raid over the weekend, others were conflicted about the violation of the nation’s sovereignty and the future of their country, a Taiwanese resident of the South American nation said on Sunday. A government supporter holds an action figure of Super Bigote, based on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, during a protest demanding his release from US custody, in Caracas on Sunday. You, 39, came to Venezuela in 1998, when his father was sent by a Taiwan-based company to work in the South American nation. Among poorer Venezuelans, many fear having their benefits cut if they speak out against the government, he said. He expressed hope that the country could someday return to the “golden era” he found when he arrived in the late 1990s.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:43 UTC
Afghan migrants freeze to death on route to Iran
Habibullah was among 15 bodies returned from Iran, an Afghan border source said on condition of anonymity. A further three migrants who died were recovered on the Afghan side of the frontier, an army official said. They are drawn to Iran due to greater job opportunities and a common language, but legal routes are limited. Afghan Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Abdul Manan Omari on Sunday said that it was “necessary to do more” to facilitate work permits for migrants. The Taliban government has taken “serious steps to fight the smugglers,” Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 16:43 UTC
Vessel traffic monitoring center for offshore wind farms inaugurated
Vessel traffic monitoring center for offshore wind farms inauguratedStaff writer, with CNAThe Offshore Wind Farms Channel Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Center was inaugurated on Saturday at the Port of Taichung to strengthen maritime traffic safety around offshore wind farms, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said. Premier Cho Jung-tai, center, and other officials attend the inauguration of the Offshore Wind Farms Channel Vessel Traffic Service Center at the Port of Taichung on Saturday. He also underscored the need for continued improvements in vessel traffic monitoring. About 30,000 vessels pass through offshore wind farm areas in Changhua each year, making safety a top priority, he said. Taiwan's installed offshore wind power capacity reached 3.5 gigawatts by the end of last year, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 14:21 UTC
Cold air mass to drive temperatures down
Cold air mass to drive temperatures downStaff writer, with CNAA strong continental cold air mass is to move southward from tonight night into tomorrow, bringing overnight temperatures in low-lying areas across Taiwan down to about 10°C to 14°C, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. In Taichung, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan and Kaohsiung, temperatures could drop below 10°C early tomorrow morning due to radiative cooling, the agency said. Taiwan is to remain under the combined influence of the cold air mass and radiative cooling through Thursday, Cheng said. While the cold air is expected to weaken slightly on Friday and Saturday, radiative cooling would continue to keep temperatures low. Daytime highs in northern Taiwan could return to about 20°C, although parts of western Taiwan may see day-night temperature differences of 10°C to 13°C.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 14:11 UTC
Air quality to deteriorate nationwide from tomorrow
Air quality to deteriorate nationwide from tomorrowBy Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writer, with CNAA 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. A strong continental cold air mass would bring the pollutants to Taiwan from tomorrow, worsening PM2.5 concentrations in the north to between 40 and 60mg/m³, it added. Air quality is to improve in central and northern Taiwan from Thursday, although downwind areas in the south would still see the effects of accumulated pollutants, it said. As air quality is significantly influenced by meteorological conditions, the ministry advised keeping up to date on the latest forecasts and taking necessary precautions.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 09:46 UTC
Ministry encourages flushing toilet paper, seated toilets
Ministry encourages flushing toilet paper, seated toiletsBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of Environment today unveiled a new toilet-themed art installation as part of efforts to promote seated toilets and encourage people to flush toilet paper. The display features transparent toilet bowls to promote flushing toilet paper, as well as seated toilets over squat toilets for better hygiene and accessibility. The rollout would begin with government agencies, although no date has been set to entirely replace squat toilets, he added. Neighboring countries such as Japan and Singapore have also set goals to reduce the number of squat toilets, he added. Meanwhile, the ministry said it has conducted testing with 26 different brands of toilet paper, showing that they are completely flushable.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 09:45 UTC
More people using AI, mostly for transport, language and research: NCC
More people using AI, mostly for transport, language and research: NCCBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAThe proportion of people using artificial intelligence (AI) rose to 56.3 percent last year, primarily for transportation in daily life and research and analysis at work, a survey by the National Communications Commission (NCC) showed. The second most common use was language assistance, with 64 percent of users using it for voice input and control, translation and text-to-speech. The third was security and monitoring, with 45 percent of users using AI for smart security systems and biometric authentication. In terms of work, 41 percent of users reported using AI to look up, process and analyze data, the survey showed. More than 30 percent of people reported not using AI at work, the NCC added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 05, 2026 09:29 UTC