Taipei man dies of hantavirus, rodents near residence test positive
Taipei man dies of hantavirus, rodents near residence test positiveStaff writer, with CNAAn elderly man with underlying health conditions died in mid-January, eight days after the onset of symptoms, marking Taiwan’s first hantavirus death this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The man, who was in his 70s and lived in Taipei’s Daan District (大安), tested positive posthumously for hantavirus after passing away on Jan. 13 from sepsis complicated by multiple organ failure and pneumonia, the CDC said in a press release. A rat and its pups are pictured in an undated photograph. Following the fatality, local authorities conducted a screening near the man’s residence, with two of the four specimens captured testing positive for hantavirus. To mitigate the risk of transmission, Taipei City Government’s environmental teams conducted a disinfection sweep within a 200-meter radius of the man’s residence and deployed specialized rodenticide to eliminate potential viral vectors.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 21:43 UTC
Illuminating
‘French Spider-Man’ praises Honnold’s Taipei 101 climbAlain Robert, known as the "French Spider-Man," praised Alex Honnold as exceptionally well-prepared after the US climber completed a free solo ascent of Taipei 101 yesterday. Robert said Honnold's ascent of the 508m-tall skyscraper in just more than one-and-a-half hours without using safety ropes or equipment was a remarkable achievement. "This is my life," he said in an interview conducted in French, adding that he liked the feeling of being "on the edge of danger." The 63-year-old Frenchman climbed Taipei 101 using ropes in December 2004, taking about four hours to reach the top. On a one-to-10 scale of difficulty, Robert said Taipei 101
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 21:43 UTC
Forest, Celtic into play-offs as Villa fight back
Forest, Celtic into play-offs as Villa fight backAFP, PARISNottingham Forest FC are to go into the Europa League play-off round after a 4-0 win over Ferencvaros TC on Thursday, while Celtic FC secured their place in the knockout phase with a victory over FC Utrecht. Aston Villa FC finished second in the league phase after recovering from two goals down to beat FC Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 with their spot in the last 16 already assured. FC Utrecht’s Vasilis Barkas, second left, and Celtic FC’s Auston Trusty, center, vie for the ball in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday. Elsewhere, Celtic overcame lowly Utrecht 4-2 after scoring three times in the first 19 minutes in Glasgow. Olympique Lyonnais topped the table with seven wins from eight after completing the league phase with a 4-2 victory over PAOK.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 20:13 UTC
Bolt suspends driver after passenger dies on highway
Bolt suspends driver after passenger dies on highwayBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNARide-hailing platform Bolt today confirmed that a driver, who allegedly dropped off a passenger on a highway resulting in the passenger’s death, was operating via its platform. The driver, surnamed Lin (林), reportedly forced a passenger out of the vehicle on Provincial Highway 64 on Sunday, after which the passenger was struck and killed by passing vehicles. The scene of an accident that killed one on Provincial Highway 64 in New Taipei City’s Banciao District is pictured on Sunday. Photo: Taipei TimesThe platform said it was “deeply saddened and regretful” over the incident that claimed the life of a young person. The platform said it has been in contact with its partner taxi fleets and relevant authorities since the incident came to light.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:29 UTC
Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on airplanes
Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on airplanesBloombergUS President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on aircraft from Canada sold in the US and decertify all new planes made in the country until Ottawa agreed to approve some jets made by Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics Corp.Canada had “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets,” Trump wrote on social media. In response, the US would decertify “Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified,” he said. A Gulfstream Aerospace G500 is pictured at the International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget airport on June 18, 2023. “If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50 percent Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America,” he said. Still, it was unclear how the US would decertify the aircraft, as such a measure typically relates to safety issues.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:14 UTC
Eurozone economy beats estimates as Q4 GDP rises 0.3%
Eurozone economy beats estimates as Q4 GDP rises 0.3%BloombergThe eurozone economy grew more than expected at the end of last year, with fourth-quarter GDP rising 0.3 percent from the previous three months — maintaining the pace it set in the previous period — Eurostat said yesterday. Germany, Italy and Spain all surpassed estimates, with the latter proving the standout performer once again through expansion of 0.8 percent. In Germany, household and government consumption drove growth of 0.3 percent from October to December last year. However, fourth-quarter investment rose by 0.2 percent, while consumer spending growth accelerated to 0.3 percent. For last year, GDP rose 0.9 percent.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:14 UTC
Legislature passes amendment reserving 20 percent of social housing for newlyweds
Legislature passes amendment reserving 20 percent of social housing for newlywedsStaff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed amendments to the Housing Act (住宅法), requiring that at least 20 percent of social housing units be reserved for newlyweds within their first two years of marriage and families with minor children. Under the amended law, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is required to set up a social housing registration platform to track demand and unit types, which will serve as a basis for future social housing development plans. The MOI platform must be able to connect with local government social housing registration systems, allowing data to be shared for nationwide planning. The new Article 20-1, requires authorities to consider local population trends and housing conditions when drafting or reviewing urban plans, in order to assess social housing needs and designate land accordingly. She added that the establishment of a social housing registration platform will allow the public to access nationwide rental information and help authorities continue improving social housing policies.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Legislature advances TPP’s defense bill
Legislature advances TPP’s defense billKNOCK-OFF The bill, which an official said resembled a crudely copied and amputated version of the larger cabinet defense bill, was advanced by the opposition-controlled bodyStaff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday advanced a Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)-sponsored bill governing arms procurement packages approved by the US to a committee review. Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers hold up signs in the legislature in Taipei yesterday protesting the opposition parties’ refusal to discuss the Cabinet’s version of a special defense budget. The TPP bill “lacked strategic vision and force-building planning, deviated from established military procurement practices and ignored defense self-reliance,” she said. The KMT caucus would put forward its own version of the amendments, he said. Cooperation with the TPP caucus remains important and the KMT caucus’ discussions with the TPP caucus would continue, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
US foreign relations committee advances Taiwan-related bills
US foreign relations committee advances Taiwan-related billsBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday advanced three Taiwan-related bills, although a fourth was set aside for later discussion. The three measures passed are the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act, the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act and the Taiwan Allies Fund Act. Senators set the act aside over fears of upsetting China, saying that Taiwan had never requested a change in policy. US Senator Rand Paul said he would vote against the bill unless Taiwan gives a statement on the issue. In the committee, even one member can block a bill and delay discussions until the next hearing.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Office helping foreigners moving to Taiwan
Office helping foreigners moving to TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAAmendments to the law governing foreign professionals have expanded pathways to work and long-term residency, and the International Talent Taiwan Office can help them understand how the new rules apply to their individual circumstances, the office’s managing director said. “There are many government processes that come with moving to a new country, and we hope to provide the best information we can,” International Talent Taiwan Office Managing Director Jonathan Liao (廖炳坤) said on Thursday. Officials and event guests hold up placards at the opening of the International Talent Taiwan Office’s southern Taiwan branch in Kaohsiung on Oct. 23, 2024. Photo: Ge You-hao, Taipei TimesThe International Talent Taiwan Office was set up in November 2023 as part of efforts spearheaded by the National Development Council (NDC) to attract foreign professionals to work in Taiwan. “There are different funnels for people to ultimately stay in Taiwan,” he said, adding that the office is there to help foreigners understand those various pathways.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Black kite population hits new high
Black kite population hits new highBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterThe number of black kites nationwide hit a record high of 1,033 last year, showing that eco-friendly construction and farming methods have helped with their conservation, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said on Thursday. Black kites are pictured in an undated photograph. The size of the black kite population is closely related to habitat integrity and healthy food sources, the agency said, adding that the species once faced survival crisis due to habitat loss, and the use of pesticides and poisons. Raptors such as black kites are key indicators of environmental health and biodiversity, the agency said. The agency has been cooperating with the lab on monitoring black kite populations via satellite tracking technology and promoting relevant education since 2013, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
AIT director gives praise to defense ministry’s work
AIT director gives praise to defense ministry’s workBy Su Yung-yao and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe US is impressed by the leadership of Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the thoroughness of its assessment of defense needs, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said. American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene speaks at an event in Taipei on Thursday. The US hopes that Taiwanese parties would prioritize the nation’s security and defense over partisan differences, and focus on what their nation needs, Greene said. The current National Security Strategy, published last month, clearly affirmed the vital importance of the first island chain to the Indo-Pacific region and US national security, Greene said. A defense industrial base is crucial to provide the Taiwanese armed forces with arms and resilience during a conflict, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Legislative Yuan rams through several amendments
Legislative Yuan rams through several amendmentsTHE GAIN OF THE FEW Opposition parties joined together to railroad a number of amendments criticized by the ruling party as distinctly tainted with self-interestBy Lins Hsin-han and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Legislative Yuan yesterday passed amendments to the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties (政黨及其附隨組織不當取得財產處理條例), no longer recognizing the China Youth Corps (CYC) as a party affiliate. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu bangs a gavel to pass amendments to the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. The legislature yesterday passed amendments to the Satellite Broadcasting Act (衛星廣播電視法), extending license holder reassessments from three to fiveyears and exempting stations that have not incurred fines exceeding NT$800,000 in the past three years from review. DPP lawmakers said the amendments were an attempt to enable CTi News to retake its old cable channel. The news channel, which broadcast via cable channel 52, was taken off the air after its license expired.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Tech collaboration with Sweden to be expanded: official
Chen made the remarks at a seminar on collaboration between the NSTC and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) in Yilan County, which continued through yesterday. Partificpants hold up placards at a seminar on collaboration between the National Science and Technology Council and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research in Yilan County yesterday. Chen said that the NSTC had signed a memorandum of understanding with the SSF in July 2024, which provides for continued collaboration between the two groups through 2031. Swedish Representative to Taiwan Helena Reitberger said that Sweden has collaborated with Taiwan across many fields and the NSTC-SSF collaboration has been widely lauded. To further bilateral collaboration, the Swedish Trade and Invest Council, Taipei Office is in talks with the Ministry of Education to jointly establish scholarships to foster talent on both sides, Reitberger said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC
Ride-hailing platform Bolt fined after passenger dies
Ride-hailing platform Bolt fined after passenger diesALLEGED ALTERCATION: The driver surnamed Lin could face a maximum fine of NT$7,200 for leaving a passenger in the middle of an expressway, a transport official saidBy Wu Liang-yi / Staff reporter, with CNARide-hailing platform Bolt is subject to an NT$30,000 (US$954) administrative fine in a case involving one of its drivers, who left a passenger in the middle of the road leading to his death when he was struck by passing vehicles. A vehicle with ride-hailing platform Bolt is pictured in an undated photograph. Under regulations governing the approval and operation of taxi services, a vehicle can only work with one taxi service company for dispatch operations. Bolt said it immediately suspended Lin from the platform and further action would depend on the outcome of the judicial investigation. If regulations under the Act on Application, Approval and Management of the Taxi Transportation Industry (計程車客運服務業申請核准經營辦法) are contravened, penalties can be imposed in accordance with the Highway Act, Hu said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 17:13 UTC