Campuses to restrict six Chinese apps, including TikTok and Weibo
Campuses to restrict six Chinese apps, including TikTok and WeiboBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNACampus networks are to restrict access to six Chinese apps deemed a security risk by the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Ministry of Education said today. The digital ministry last month announced that Douyin, TikTok (the international version of Douyin), Xiaohongshu (RedNote, 小紅書), Sina Weibo, WeChat and Baidu Cloud are information security risks, urging the public to protect their digital safety. Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, and TikTok icons are pictured in an arranged photograph taken on Jan. 15 last year. Photo: ReutersThe education ministry is to ban these six apps from being downloaded, installed or used on official devices and restrict access to them on TANet and iTaiwan hotspots on campuses and ministry agencies, it said. Schools should not use any high-risk apps in learning activities to ensure all teaching materials are appropriate, the Ministry of Education said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 14:44 UTC
Fire extinguished after burning hectare in Yunlin
Fire extinguished after burning hectare in YunlinStaff writer, with CNAA forest fire was extinguished early this morning after burning about 1 hectare of bamboo forest in the Shibi (石壁) area of Yunlin County's Gukeng Township (古坑) overnight, the second such fire in the region this month. A fire burns in the Shibi area of Yunlin County's Caoling Village last night. The incident occurred in a bamboo forest about 10km away from a separate bamboo forest where another fire broke out on Jan. 12 and burned about 8 hectares of forest over four days. Caoling Village chief Chen Ping-tung (陳兵通) said it is currently the winter bamboo shoot harvest season, during which farmers or illegal foragers enter the mountains to collect the local delicacy. He said these people often light fires to keep warm in the cold mountain conditions, leaving behind embers that may have sparked the fires.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 14:35 UTC
US Senate tables ‘Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act’
US Senate tables ‘Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act’By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe US Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday advanced three Taiwan-related bills, although the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act was tabled for later discussion. Photo: ReutersSenators tabled the act over fears of angering China, saying that Taiwan had never requested a change in policy. The three measures passed were the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act, the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act and the Taiwan Allies Fund Act. The Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act would coordinate navy cooperation with Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, impose sanctions on those who damage undersea cables and provide intelligence warnings. A date has not yet been set to continue discussions of the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 14:23 UTC
Cold air to arrive tomorrow, with chance of snowfall
Cold air to arrive tomorrow, with chance of snowfallStaff writer, with CNAA cold air system is expected to begin affecting Taiwan tomorrow afternoon, bringing a chance of scattered snowfall in mountainous areas above 3,000m over the next few days, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The CWA said daytime temperatures tomorrow would remain warm, but northern Taiwan and Yilan County in the northeast would turn cooler in the afternoon and evening as the cold front passes. Temperatures are expected to drop to between 13°C and 15°C in central and northern Taiwan, as well as Yilan, tomorrow and on Sunday, and between 16°C and 18°C in the south and east. The CWA added that scattered snowfall is possible in mountain areas above 3,000m from tomorrow night through Tuesday. The cold air is expected to continue affecting Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday, bringing cooler weather to northern Taiwan and Yilan, while other areas would experience cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 10:08 UTC
TPP defense budget sent to review, Cabinet version blocked
TPP defense budget sent to review, Cabinet version blockedBy Chung Li-hua and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAThe Legislative Yuan sent the Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) defense bill to committee for review today, after continuing to block the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.52 billion) special defense budget. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker hold up signs in the legislature in Taipei today protesting the opposition parties' refusal to discuss the Cabinet's version of a special defense budget. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesThe Democratic Progressive Party caucus proposed adding a review of the Executive Yuan’s special defense budget, but the opposition parties blocked it with their majority. Repeatedly blocking the Executive Yuan’s special defense budget ignores the nation’s true needs, delaying national defense development and hindering joint operations, Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said. As the TPP’s proposal lacks these elements, the Executive Yuan’s budget must be sent to committee review to truly build Taiwan’s national defense, she said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 08:33 UTC
US Treasury keeps Taiwan on currency manipulation monitoring list
US Treasury keeps Taiwan on currency manipulation monitoring listStaff writer, with agenciesThe US Department of the Treasury yesterday kept Taiwan on its watch list of trade partners whose currency practices "merit close attention.”The department said it was strengthening scrutiny of countries' foreign-exchange practices, including their interventions to resist both depreciation and appreciation against the US dollar. A teller poses with US dollar and New Taiwan dollar banknotes at a bank in Taipei on Feb. 23, 2017. The addition brings the monitoring list to 10 economies, with Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland remaining on the list. Despite this, the New Taiwan dollar appreciated 11.2 percent against the US dollar during the report period before partially retreating in the following months, it said. The department did not label China a currency manipulator, despite what it called "depreciation pressure" facing the yuan.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 05:03 UTC
Police advised against confiscating condoms as evidence
Police advised against confiscating condoms as evidenceBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAAll police and judicial units would be advised to carefully consider the necessity of confiscating condoms and lubricants as evidence, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday, following criticism over a raid on an alleged prostitution operation serving same-sex clients in Taichung. The CDC said it respects the job of law enforcement in maintaining public order, as well as sex workers’ choice to provide condoms and lubricant to their clients to promote health consciousness. As part of the investigation, it said it confiscated cellphones, as well as all condoms and lubricants at the scene. Condoms are tools to prevent STIs and should not be considered “evidence” in crimes, it said. Moreover, the alleged service provider complied with the law by providing clients with condoms and lubricants, the organization said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 03:53 UTC
Force cannot ‘bring true peace,’ Lai tells pope in letter
Force cannot ‘bring true peace,’ Lai tells pope in letterReuters, TAIPEIAny attempt to change the "status quo" by force or coercion cannot bring true peace, President William Lai (賴清德) said in a letter to Pope Leo released by the Presidential Office today. Writing to Pope Leo in response to his Jan. 1 World Day of Peace message, Lai said he had repeatedly emphasized that democracy, peace and prosperity are "Taiwan's national path and also Taiwan's link with the world." President William Lai delivers a speech at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on March 13 last year. "I firmly believe that any attempt to change Taiwan's status quo through force or coercion cannot bring true peace," he said. Beijing says World War II documents like the Cairo Declaration, as well as the 1971 UN resolution, give international legal backing to its sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
January 30, 2026 03:00 UTC
Aerial views
‘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 29, 2026 20:15 UTC
Movie Review: Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge
Movie Review: Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge‘Mercy’ is more hung up on tortured plot contrivances than coming to terms with the implications of AI in the legal systemBy Lindsey Bahr / APIt’s a bold filmmaking choice to have a countdown clock on the screen for most of your movie. Sadly in Mercy, it’s an ever-present reminder of just how much longer you must endure until you too are free of Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson and that chair. Chris Pratt in a scene from Mercy. Actors Kali Reis, left, Chris Pratt, right, and director Timur Bekmambetov on the set of Mercy. Photo: APOne of the most confounding choices is to have a real actor playing the AI judge.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 18:47 UTC
EDITORIAL: China’s war-readiness doubted
EDITORIAL: China’s war-readiness doubtedWhile the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly aims to possess the capability to attempt an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, Beijing on Saturday surprisingly announced an investigation into two of its highest-ranking PLA commanders for unspecified breaches of the law, sparking doubts about Beijing’s war-readiness. At least 13 former or serving generals, including Zhang and Liu, with positions of power in the military have been investigated. Xi’s anti-corruption drive has also reportedly slowed down the enhancement of China’s advanced weaponry. Zhang and Liu have been considered as key figures in China’s military modernization program, and were among the few remaining senior generals with actual combat experiences. The unrest within the Chinese military could delay the army’s upgrade, and weaken its capability to launch military aggression against Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 17:44 UTC
Last newspaper hawker in Paris receives top award
Last newspaper hawker in Paris receives top awardAFP, PARISAli Akbar Akbar has been homeless, experienced extreme poverty and had been attacked. On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron made Pakistan-born Akbar, believed to be the last newspaper hawker in Paris, a knight in the national order of merit in recognition of his service to France. Macron praised Akbar’s “incredible destiny,” thanking the septuagenarian for arriving from Pakistan decades ago, selling newspapers for 50 years and carrying France in his heart. French President Emmanuel Macron, left, awards the Chevalier of the French Order of Merit to Ali Akbar Akbar in Paris on Wednesday. The voice of the French press,” Macron told Akbar, who was surrounded by his family.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 17:44 UTC
A lazy river day in southern Taiwan
The impressive waterfall on a side stream of the Rureng River. With ankle-deep water and gentle banks, the Rureng River is an easy walk. The rough road we were walking on went directly to the riverbed above the dam, however, so we continued walking upstream. The pretty Taiwan cotton rose, an endemic flower, lines the banks of the Rureng River. When applying for the mountain entry permit for this hike at https://nv2.npa.gov.tw/NM107-604ClientE (English), choose Runai River as your destination if you apply in English or Rureng River (汝乃溪) if you apply in Chinese.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 17:44 UTC
Probe of China’s top general most likely a power struggle
The 75-year-old’s physical proximity to China’s leader, who stood to his right, reflected the position he held in China’s hierarchy. Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown University and a former senior CIA analyst, said a power struggle was a more likely explanation than corruption. The purge “isn’t about corruption, it isn’t about leaking secrets, it is about a general that became too powerful,” Wilder said. For Western analysts, the biggest question is what it means for China’s military buildup, and particularly its readiness to launch an assault on Taiwan. Zhang and Liu are likely to be interrogated about whatever offenses they are specifically accused of, which would throw up more names.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 17:44 UTC
World New Quick Take
World New Quick TakeStaff writer, with agenciesEUROPEAN UNIONKallas warns of ‘catastrophe’EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas yesterday warned that Ukraine was facing a “humanitarian catastrophe,” as Russian strikes cut power in frigid winter conditions. There is a humanitarian catastrophe coming there,” she said at the start of an EU meeting in Brussels. The Nipah virus can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a high mortality rate. However, transmission from person to person is not easy and typically requires prolonged contact with an infected individual. Taiwan is to officially list Nipah virus infection as a category 5 notifiable infection disease in March.
Source:Taipei Times
January 29, 2026 17:44 UTC