KMT, TPP again block special defense, central government budgets
KMT, TPP again block special defense, central government budgetsBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) today once again used their majority to block the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.49 billion) special defense budget and central government budget from proceeding through the legislative process. The Executive Yuan on Nov. 27 last year approved a NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget to strengthen Taiwan’s defense and asymmetric warfare capabilities and subsequently submitted it to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Members of the legislature’s Procedure Committee today vote not to place the special defense budget and fiscal planning bill on the agenda for Friday’s Legislative Yuan plenary session. The KMT and TPP hope that the Legislative Yuan on Friday will consider funding for new projects and urgent livelihood-related budgets, Lo said. The entire government budget has been sitting with the legislature since August, and now the special defense budget is not even being reviewed, Shen added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 09:03 UTC
Air pollution warning issued for sensitive groups
Air pollution warning issued for sensitive groupsStaff writer, with CNAContinental cold air masses are to bring overseas pollutants that would result in an “orange” air quality alert for Taiwan, with sensitive groups advised to avoid outdoor activities, the Ministry of Environment said today. As the continental cold air masses move south, the pollutants they bring would affect Taiwan's air quality, pushing it to mostly moderate or orange alert levels, it said. Air quality in central and northern Taiwan is expected to remain poor until tomorrow afternoon, before improving, while orange alerts in southern Taiwan could persist through Saturday, it said. Conditions in southern Taiwan are forecast to improve on Sunday as a northeast monsoon strengthens and overseas pollution subsides, the ministry said. As northeasterly winds shift southward, air quality in most regions is expected to reach orange alert levels, the ministry added.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 08:58 UTC
Yunlin fire burns 5 hectares in 26 hours
Yunlin fire burns 5 hectares in 26 hoursStaff writer, with CNAA forest fire that yesterday broke out in Yunlin County's Gukeng Township (古坑) and had destroyed an estimated 5 hectares of woodland after having burned for more than 26 hours was today gradually being brought under control, officials said. Smoke rises from a fire in Yunlin County yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Yunlin County Fire DepartmentThe fire was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, within a tract of primary forest, hotel staff said. The blaze was briefly brought under control yesterday afternoon, and an application was made to the National Fire Agency for helicopter support, the fire department said. The fire has gradually come under control, officials said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 08:52 UTC
Lai Jui-lung wins DPP primary for Kaohsiung mayoral race
Lai Jui-lung wins DPP primary for Kaohsiung mayoral raceBy Chen Cheng-yu and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAThe Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) today announced the results of its Kaohsiung mayoral primary, with DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) emerging as the winner among four contenders in a head-to-head opinion poll against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩). The party's primaries for Kaohsiung mayor, Tainan mayor and Chiayi County commissioner began yesterday and are to end on Saturday. The primary was merely a stage in the process, not a contest of personal victory or defeat, Lai Jui-lung wrote on Facebook. Speaking to reporters at noon, Chiu said that she accepted the primary result and had congratulated Lai Jui-lung. Ko, who has secured the KMT’s nomination for the Kaohsiung mayoral race, also congratulated Lai Jui-lung on his victory.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 08:32 UTC
US urges Huang to avoid partisan national security disputes: source
The delegation yesterday held meetings in Washington with officials from the US National Security Council (NSC) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang yesterday walks out of the building that houses the American Institute in Taiwan's Washington headquarters. Unity would be a win-win outcome for the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan and the TPP, the source added. The US assisted in planning the delegation’s itinerary, including arranging meetings with key officials from the US National Security Council, the US Department of State and several defense-related agencies, the source said. While countries in the first island chain are stepping up national defense efforts, there would be severe consequences if Taiwan lagged behind, the source said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 08:24 UTC
Minister honors diplomat who died on the job in India
Minister honors diplomat who died on the job in IndiaStaff writer, with CNAMinister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) yesterday commended late deputy representative to India Hsieh Bor-huei (謝柏輝), who on Dec. 12 last year passed away in New Delhi after losing consciousness at a public event. The commendations honored the late diplomat's decades-long service to Taiwan and its diplomatic mission, Lin said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, third left, gives late deputy representative to India Hsieh Bor-huei's family three medals to honor him in Tainan yesterday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hsieh's family have not disclosed the cause of death, citing privacy reasons. Hsieh played an important role in facilitating Taiwan's opening of a Mumbai office in late 2024, Lin said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 13, 2026 04:07 UTC
Thunder beat the Heat as Timberwolves edge Spurs
Thunder beat the Heat as Timberwolves edge SpursAFP, WASHINGTONReigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Photo: APJalen Williams scored 18 points, while Chet Holmgren added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Thunder. Andrew Wiggins led the Heat (20-19) with 23 points. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 25 points. Orlando’s Desmond Bane scored 27 points as the Magic rallied in the fourth quarter to beat New Orleans 128-118.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 23:13 UTC
Red Devils crash out of FA Cup, Gunners advance
Red Devils crash out of FA Cup, Gunners advanceAFP, MANCHESTER, EnglandManchester United on Sunday crashed out of the FA Cup with a meek 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion as Gabriel Martinelli’s hat-trick fired Arsenal to a 4-1 win at Portsmouth to reach the fourth round. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck, front right, scores against Manchester United in their FA Cup third-round match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Sunday. Photo: AFPThe roles were reversed midway through the second half as Welbeck lashed into the top corner against his former club. United are to play only 40 games this season after exiting both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle — their lowest number since 1915. Leeds United needed a second-half fightback to beat Derby County 3-1 and book their place in the fourth round.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 18:43 UTC
Lunar New Year countdown
‘Up to Xi’ how to handle Taiwan, but Venezuela no precedent: TrumpUS President Donald Trump said "it’s up to" Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) what China does on Taiwan, but that he would be "very unhappy" with a change in the "status quo," the New York Times said in an interview published yesterday. Xi "considers it to be a part of China, and that’s up to him what he’s going to be doing," Trump told the newspaper on Wednesday. "But I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that," he added. "I hope he doesn’t do that." Trump made the comments in
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
Taipei city councilor sentenced to more than seven years
Taipei city councilor sentenced to more than seven yearsBy Kayleigh Madjar / Staff writer, with CNAThe Shilin District Court yesterday sentenced Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun (陳怡君) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to seven years and 10 months in prison for embezzling assistant fees and accepting bribes. Chang Hui-lin (張惠霖), the head of Chen’s office, was also sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison. Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun speaks at a council session in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei TimesThe two defendants in July last year pleaded guilty to charges that they improperly claimed NT$3.84 million (US$121,404) in subsidies since the city councilor took office in late 2018. Chen yesterday did not appear in court to hear the verdict.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
MOHW looks to allow direct hire of foreign care helpers at hospitals
MOHW looks to allow direct hire of foreign care helpers at hospitalsStaff writer, with CNAMinister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said yesterday the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is working on revising regulations to allow hospitals to directly hire foreign care workers who will help patients hospitalized for acute conditions with daily care needs and ease the workload of nursing staff. However, hospitals are facing a shortage of care workers, which is why the health ministry is considering introducing intermediate skilled foreign care workers. Previously, they could only be employed by long-term care institutions, chronic care wards and respiratory care units, and not general hospitals. The ministry has been communicating with nursing groups to address misunderstandings that foreign care workers will replace domestic nurses, he added. Shih stressed that the policy is intended to ease their workload, allowing them to focus on professional duties while daily care is handled by foreign care workers.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
Phase 2 of Chiayi science park advances
As land use at the Chiayi campus is already at capacity, the Phase 2 plan seeks to add approximately 89 hectares of land and introduce three more factories. “Chip packaging must remain rooted in Taiwan, and this is being facilitated by TSMC’s expansion in Chiayi,” she said. With both phases combined, total employment at the Chiayi campus could exceed 9,200 people, she said. The Phase 2 development plan would be complemented by the Chiayi High Speed Rail Station redevelopment plan, which is to cover about 360 hectares of land rezoned for commercial, retail and industrial development, he said. “Looking ahead, the county plans to fully review transport impacts, bicycle path planning and strategies to reduce air pollution in coordination with the science park’s development,” Liu said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
Coming up for clean air
‘Up to Xi’ how to handle Taiwan, but Venezuela no precedent: TrumpUS President Donald Trump said "it’s up to" Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) what China does on Taiwan, but that he would be "very unhappy" with a change in the "status quo," the New York Times said in an interview published yesterday. Xi "considers it to be a part of China, and that’s up to him what he’s going to be doing," Trump told the newspaper on Wednesday. "But I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that," he added. "I hope he doesn’t do that." Trump made the comments in
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
Pay for migrant workers increased last year: survey
Pay for migrant workers increased last year: surveyStaff writer, with CNAPay for migrant workers and caregivers increased last year, while language barriers remained a top challenge facing employers, the results of a survey released yesterday by the Ministry of Labor showed. Photo: Taipei TimesFor migrant workers employed by Taiwanese businesses, regular monthly pay averaged NT$29,800 in June last year, with overtime pay averaging NT$5,100, bringing total pay to NT$34,900, up 4.7 percent from NT$33,300 in June 2024, the survey showed. The report showed caregivers’ regular pay averaged NT$21,300 in June last year, with overtime pay averaging NT$2,800, for a total of about NT$24,200, up 1.8 percent from NT$23,800 a year earlier. Migrant caregivers averaged 10.1 hours per day in June last year, little changed from 10.3 hours in June 2024, the report showed. For migrant workers employed by businesses, total working hours averaged 196.5 hours in June last year, up nearly 10 percent from 179.1 hours a year earlier, as regular hours rose to 168.2 and overtime increased to 28.3 hours, the ministry said.
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC
Education minister not afraid of China’s threats
Education minister not afraid of China’s threatsBy Rachel Lin / Staff reporterMinister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) yesterday said he is an “elegant Taiwanese,” adding that he is not afraid of being labeled by China as a “diehard Taiwan independence advocate,” after Beijing targeted him last week. Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao poses for a photograph in Taipei yesterday. While some people’s ancestors came from China, they are ROC citizens, Cheng said. These distinctions should be clearly explained to children through historical and international perspectives, rather than being conflated,” he said. “What we aim for is a democratic and law-governed society, and education should help children develop a clear, stable and noncontradictory understanding.”
Source:Taipei Times
January 12, 2026 17:14 UTC