METRO RAMPAGE: Attack was more than a year in the making, police say
Twenty-seven-year-old suspect Chang Wen (張文) threw smoke grenades and stabbed people at Taipei Main Station and near Zhongshan MRT Station, killing three people and injuring at least 11. Chang jumped to his death from the sixth floor of the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi building while being pursued by police. Chang acted alone, police said after reviewing footage of his movements the days leading up the attack. In the three days leading up to the attack, Chang repeatedly traveled around Zhongshan District (中山), particularly around the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store, conducting what police believe was reconnaissance for the attack. Chang reportedly started renting an apartment off Gongyuan Road for about NT$10,000 per month starting in January, making payments on time.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Father, daughter doctors helped at scene of attack
METRO RAMPAGE: Father, daughter doctors helped at scene of attackBy Lin Chih-I and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writerAn off-duty emergency doctor and his daughter provided critical first aid during a deadly stabbing attack in Taipei on Friday. The attack by 27-year-old suspect Chang Wen (張文) unfolded in the early evening around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store near MRT Zhongshan Station. National Taiwan University Hospital emergency department doctor Yen Jui-sheng, center, speaks to reporters as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, left, looks on in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei TimesChang jumped from the roof of a department store while being chased by police and was pronounced dead on Friday night. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Yen said that saving lives is a doctor’s duty.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
10 KMT defendants sentenced for recall petition forgery
10 KMT defendants sentenced for recall petition forgeryStaff writer, with CNATen people affiliated with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) were given suspended sentences of 10 to 22 months by the Chiayi District Court on Friday for forging signatures in a drive to recall a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker. Chiayi District Court in Chiayi County is pictured in an undated photograph. Prosecutors raided the KMT’s Chiayi County branch on June 5 investigating allegations of faking signatures to recall DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷). Workers and volunteers at the KMT Chiayi County branch took it into their own hands to create the needed signatures, prosecutors said. The KMT unsuccessfully tried to mount recall campaigns against DPP lawmakers after civic groups pushed for recalls of KMT legislators, getting 31 of them to a popular vote.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Witnesses to Taipei stabbing attacks could experience trauma, psychologists warn
METRO RAMPAGE: Witnesses to Taipei stabbing attacks could experience trauma, psychologists warnBy Lin Chih-yi and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerPeople who saw a stabbing attack in Taipei on Friday, as well as people exposed to images of the incident, could experience trauma, highlighting the need for awareness and care, a psychologists’ association said yesterday. The suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文), carried out attacks at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan MRT Station on Friday, killing three people and leaving 11 injured. Police and emergency responders stand outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store following a deadly stabbing spree on Friday. When children piece together incomplete information on their own, misunderstandings can arise, potentially intensifying fear, he said. Parents should reassure children that fear is normal, discuss simple safety strategies and offer comfort based on family routines, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Africa Cup of Nations now to be every four years
Africa Cup of Nations now to be every four yearsReutersThe Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would in future be held every four years instead of every two years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Saturday. The surprise decision was made at the body’s executive committee meeting in Rabat and announced at a news conference by CAF president Patrice Motsepe. Motsepe announced the launch of an African Nations League annually from 2029 to fill the gap, following the example of Europe which holds its championship every four years. “Historically the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us, but now we will get financial resources every year,” he said. This year’s tournament in Morocco was moved back six months when FIFA introduced a new-look Club World Cup, which was hosted in the US in June and July.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Lishan lights Taiwan’s highest Christmas trees
Lishan lights Taiwan’s highest Christmas treesStaff writer, with CNAThe nation’s two highest Christmas trees, situated at 1,956 meters above sea level in Taichung’s Lishan (梨山), were lit last night to mark the winter solstice, accompanied by a concert, said the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters. The illuminated 28-meter-tall cedar trees -- dubbed the “Christmas Trees above the Clouds” -- are to light up with meteor-shower-like lights for three minutes every half hour each night through Jan. 25, 2026, creating what organizers described as an “enchanting alpine atmosphere,” said the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters. Two Christmas trees are pictured at 1,956 meters above sea level in Taichung’s Lishan last night. Photo courtesy of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area HeadquartersThe installations are part of the 2025 Lishan-Guguan Light Art Festival, which is being held for its fifth winter season, it said. The Guguan part of the festival runs from Nov. 29 to Jan. 11, 2026, featuring hot springs and walkways, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Arsenal stay top despite Man City win
Yet, Pep Guardiola was still far from satisfied as he demanded improvements if City are to win a seventh Premier League title under his tenure. Arne Slot introduced the most expensive Premier League player of all time at the break. Hugo Ekitike headed in his fifth goal in three league games to double Liverpool’s lead. Chelsea have won just once in their last five league games to see ambitions of a title challenge wilt. Wolves remain without a league win this season and on course to enter the record books as the worst side in Premier League history after a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: CIB, police probe online threats in wake of attack
METRO RAMPAGE: CIB, police probe online threats in wake of attackPREVENTING COPYCATS: Police have arrested three people for posts considered public threats, while the CIB urged the public to report threatening posts they findBy Yao Yueh-hung / Staff reporter, with CNAThe Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday said it was coordinating with police agencies to establish a national task force to curb the spread of violent rhetoric and threats online following a mass stabbing incident in Taipei on Friday. Twenty posts or comments on social media and online forums have been flagged for containing violent threats or suggesting that an indiscriminate attack was forthcoming. The task force would quickly investigate and pursue legal action against those making violent threats, inciting violence or claiming they would carry out attacks, the bureau said. The CIB urged people to not share, endorse or treat as jokes suspicious posts or comments advocating violence to avoid fueling panic or copycat behavior. Prosecutors did not accept Chen’s explanation and determined his actions constituted a threat to public safety, with substantial criminal suspicion.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Mbappe equals Ronaldo record in Madrid’s win
Mbappe equals Ronaldo record in Madrid’s winReuters, MADRIDKylian Mbappe on Saturday equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid with a late penalty in his side’s 2-0 home win over Sevilla in Spanish La Liga, with the French forward celebrating his 27th birthday in style. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, vies for the ball against Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez during their La Liga match in Madrid on Saturday. Mbappe sent a snap shot wide, as the hosts struggled to find a clear-cut chance, and Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume put another strike wide for the visitors before Real went in front seven minutes before the break. Mbappe sent an effort straight at the keeper and dragged another shot wide, while at the other end Courtois twice denied Alexis Sanchez and Romero with Real all too easy to open up at the back. Real were hanging on for the win with Mbappe still laboring to find the net when Juanlu Sanchez fouled Rodrygo in the box, and the birthday boy stepped up to score before pulling out Ronaldo’s celebration.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
KMT filing malfeasance against Constitutional Court
KMT filing malfeasance against Constitutional CourtBy Liu Wan-lin and Chen Cheng-yu / Staff reportersThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus said yesterday it is filing malfeasance charges against the Constitutional Court and its five justices. The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that opposition-backed amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act (憲法訴訟法) passed by the Legislative Yuan last year were unconstitutional, as they contravene due legislative process and separation of powers. The Legislative Yuan in December last year passed amendments stipulating that no fewer than 10 grand justices must take part in deliberations of the Constitutional Court, and at least nine grand justices must agree to declare a law unconstitutional. “The Constitutional Court session was therefore held illegally, and the ruling is, of course, illegal,” it added. The five are no longer qualified to be called justices of the Constitutional Court, Huang said, describing them as “green judicial tyrants” and accusing them of contravening Article 124 of the Criminal Code regarding wrongful judgements.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE:Precinct chief addresses public concerns over stabbing response
METRO RAMPAGE:Precinct chief addresses public concerns over stabbing responseStaff writer, with CNAThe head of a local police precinct yesterday addressed public concerns over why some officers responding to Friday’s deadly attacks in Taipei were not armed, saying decisions were made under extreme uncertainty and time pressure. Armed police keep watch at a busy shopping area yesterday in Taipei near the crime scene of Friday’s knife attack. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei TimesDespite this, the off-duty officers did not hesitate and ran to the scene on foot to help protect the public, Lee said. Lee also asked the public and media to show understanding and support, saying police officers face unpredictable danger every day. “Every police officer has the same courage and the same desire to protect the public,” Lee said, becoming visibly emotional and at times choking back tears.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Jake Paul reports double broken jaw and on liquids
Jake Paul reports double broken jaw and on liquidsAP, MIAMIJake Paul’s jaw was broken in two places in his loss to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami on Friday. Joshua scored a sixth-round knockout victory over Paul, who posted on Saturday an X-ray of his damaged jaw. “Double broken jaw,” the YouTuber wrote on Instagram. “Gotta eat liquids for 7 days.”Joshua ended the heavyweight bout with a powerful punch to Paul’s jaw, sending the American to the canvas for the fourth and final time. Paul weighed in at 98kg, and Joshua at 110kg.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Arms purchases shifting focus and weapons mix
This is US President Donald Trump’s second arms sale to Taiwan during his second term. US President Donald Trump gestures as he makes an announcement about lowering the cost of drug prices in Washington on Dec. 19. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinThe weapons in this package are significantly different from those that Taipei had tended to procure before, such as advanced models of fighter jets and warships. “This package is full of weapons that will make a Chinese [landing] on Taiwan difficult to execute and sustain,” retired US Navy rear admiral Mark Montgomery said. The Nikkei Asia report also quoted an anonymous US government source, saying there are two major reasons for Taiwan’s shift in priorities.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
METRO RAMPAGE: Japanese tourist recounts efforts to save knife victim
METRO RAMPAGE: Japanese tourist recounts efforts to save knife victimBy Lin Chih-yi / Staff reporter, with CNATourist Kouta Kinoshita said he felt helpless as he attempted to staunch the bleeding of a man stabbed in Taipei during a deadly rampage on Friday that left four people dead. Kouta Kinoshita films himself from the scene of a knife attack in Taipei on Friday. In an emergency, no tools are needed, just “apply direct pressure to the wound with your hands,” Kao said. As direct pressure might involve contact with the injured person’s blood, use a piece of clothing, such as a scarf or similar item, to apply pressure, Kao said. A tourniquet can be tied above the wound to stop blood flow when arteries are damaged, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 17:14 UTC
Court reverses earlier ruling to clear way for Musk’s US$56bn pay package
Court reverses earlier ruling to clear way for Musk’s US$56bn pay packageAFP, NEW YORKA Delaware appeals court on Friday cleared the way for businessman Elon Musk to receive a long-contested US$56 billion Tesla Inc pay package, reversing an earlier judgement in the protracted case. The decision by the Delaware Supreme Court rejected a pair of judgments by Delaware Court of Chancery Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick and sets the stage for the world’s richest person to get another windfall. In a pair of rulings last year, McCormick invalidated the 2018 package, which once loomed as historically large, but have since been eclipsed by the tech tycoon’s most recent Tesla package. In a statement posted online on Friday, attorneys representing Tesla shareholders said they were considering next steps. Tesla shareholders on Nov. 6 easily approved the latest package, which is tied to a number of performance and valuation targets.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2025 16:36 UTC