U.S. lawmaker Neal advances several pro-Taiwan initiatives; Foreign Ministry awards him the Friendship Medal
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
U.S. Representative Zach Nunn was awarded the Order of Friendship Diplomacy by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of his efforts to strengthen ties with Taiwan and contribute to regional peace and stability. Nunn said Taiwan is important to the democratic camp and world peace, and stressed that supporting Taiwan is a priority for the U.S. Congress. The ministry welcomed Nunn’s visit and the successive visits to Taiwan by U.S. lawmakers, and said it would continue working to deepen Taiwan-U.S. relations and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. core PCE rose 3% year over year in February, in line with market expectations
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The U.S. core PCE price index rose more slowly year over year in February, while headline PCE increased 2.8%, in line with market expectations. Jobless claims also remained low, giving the Federal Reserve room to hold interest rates steady.
Rti wins another seat on the International Association of Broadcasting’s executive committee, continuing to amplify Taiwan’s voice
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Lai Hsiu-ju, chair of the Central Broadcasting System (Rti), announced that Rti board member Liu Chia-wei was elected to the executive committee of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB), with a term lasting through 2028, strengthening ties between Taiwan and international media.
Agriculture Ministry: Human medicines for dogs and cats will not be introduced lightly if they prove impractical
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
New rules governing the use of human medicines for pets are scheduled to take effect in July this year, but the Ministry of Agriculture said it would not implement them hastily if practical difficulties arise.
Japanese media: Takaichi plans to meet Polish prime minister in mid-April, with Indo-Pacific security expected to be discussed
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Japanese media report that Japan’s Sanae Takaichi is expected to meet the Polish prime minister in mid-April. They will discuss security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and may also discuss cooperation on the economy and cybersecurity.
Kyodo: NATO delegation to visit Japan to strengthen cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) delegation will visit Japan to strengthen cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. The visit will include meetings with Japan’s defense and foreign ministers, as well as visits to defense companies. The move reflects NATO’s growing focus on its partners in the Indo-Pacific amid the war in Ukraine.
Taipei prosecutors conduct cross-agency checks on supply and demand for petrochemical products to prevent illegal stockpiling and price gouging
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
At the direction of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office worked with police, investigative agencies and administrative bodies to investigate the supply and demand of plastic products and track the availability of daily necessities in the market. The investigation found reports of reduced supplies and slight cost increases for some plastic red flower bags, heat-resistant bags and paper bowls with plastic lids, but no unusual hoarding or price gouging across the market. The Northern District Prosecutors Office said it would continue monitoring distribution and price fluctuations and intervene immediately if illegal activity is found.
Chung Yao praises production crew’s attention to detail; new series perfectly recreates a 90s metro construction site
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The drama “Urban Founding Ancestors” is set against the mass occupational accident caused by decompression sickness at a Taipei MRT construction site in 1996, and features realistic sets recreating details from the time. Lead actors 鍾瑶 and 莊凱勛 portray complex relationships and emotional conflicts.
Taiwan Stock Exchange flags 33 securities for monitoring; TSMC among them
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Taiwan Stock Exchange announced 33 stocks for monitoring. They include TSMC, whose price range over 6 trading days exceeded NT$195 and whose closing price on the final day was the highest in the past 6 trading days. 森崴能源 was also designated for monitoring because of its huge losses last year.
Mainland Chinese fishing boat drifts toward Beiding, Kinmen; Coast Guard focuses on preventing infiltration by small targets
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A fishing boat from mainland China drifted ashore in the waters off Beiding, Kinmen, amid strong winds. There were no crew members aboard, and its owner abandoned ownership, so Taiwan’s authorities will dispose of the vessel. The Coast Guard Administration is stepping up its watch for illegal entry.
樺漢 posts record March revenue for the same period; 宸曜 sets new monthly record
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwan IPC heavyweight 樺漢 (Ennoconn) and its subsidiary 宸曜 (Neousys) posted record-high sales for March and the first quarter. Growth was driven by the wider adoption of edge AI technology and rising demand for smart manufacturing.
Matsu yellow croaker bus arrives in Miaoli; online communities can find “catch” locations
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The “Yellow Croaker Bus” arrived on Taiwan’s main island from Matsu to take part in the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage. A campaign will also let people track the bus’s location on social media.
Green World FinTech expands into diversified payment applications; March revenue rises 38% month over month
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwanese payment provider 緑界科技（ECPay） announced that its March sales rose 38% from the previous month, driven by an expansion into a diverse range of services involving AI and data applications.
A-Luo leads Indigenous musicians offshore for new South Island music reality show
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The third season, “The Great Voyage,” of the Austronesian music reality show “Your Island, My Home” has officially begun. Musician Alo Kalitin Pakira serves as executive director, leading 6 groups of Indigenous musicians, including 舞思愛, 阿蘭AC and 跪父樂團, on a voyage from Taiwan to 3 major Pacific destinations: New Zealand, the Philippines and Hawaii. The show aims to rebuild cultural bridges lost among Pacific Austronesian peoples through music. Alo said he hopes to reactivate the Austronesian peoples’ genes through music, like the ancestors who sowed the seeds of culture across the Pacific from eastern Taiwan 4000 years ago. In the premiere, the crew visits Amis elder Laway (賴進龍), who protects the ocean in the Taitung Malan tribe, and introduces traditional bamboo raft-making techniques and his deep devotion to the ocean. The show airs on Little PTS Channel 12 from April 20, every Monday through Thursday at 10 p.m.
Russia hands over 1000 remains of Ukrainian troops in exchange for 41 soldiers’ remains
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Russia and Ukraine regularly exchange the bodies of soldiers killed in action. Most recently, Russia handed over the bodies of 1000 Ukrainian soldiers and received the bodies of 41 Russian soldiers.
Iranian president: Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon render negotiations meaningless
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Iranian President Pezeshkian strongly condemned Israel’s large-scale airstrikes on Lebanon, saying they had rendered ceasefire negotiations meaningless.
AI fraud crackdown: FSC says it proactively removed 107,000 scam-related ads over nearly 3 years
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Financial Supervisory Commission has used AI to combat fraud, removing more than 107,000 online investment scam ads over nearly 3 years. It also removed more than 70,000 ads following reports from the public, significantly reducing the risk of people falling victim to scams.
10 events to be held before Danjiang Bridge opens; 雲門舞集 to perform on May 9
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwan’s Danjiang Bridge will officially open on May 12. Before the opening, President Lai Ching-te will attend a ceremony on May 9, featuring a special performance by 雲門舞集 and other events.
Iranian nuclear chief rules out limits on uranium enrichment program
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Iranian nuclear chief Eslami said any talk of restricting Iran’s uranium enrichment program was a delusion. His remarks came as Iran and the United States are expected to hold third-party-mediated talks in Pakistan this weekend.
Zheng Li-wen’s China visit: French media say Beijing seeks to block U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
鄭麗文 visited China, and French media reported that China is trying to block U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Through 鄭麗文’s visit, China is seeking to bolster the credibility of a political solution and persuade the United States that war in the Taiwan Strait can be avoided. The visit took place at a sensitive time, as Taiwan’s defense budget proposal was under review in the Legislative Yuan. China is seeking to bypass the Democratic Progressive Party government and maintain channels for political dialogue with Taiwan’s opposition.
Ennostar enters optical communications, sees promise in Micro LED short-reach optical transmission solutions
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Ennostar Holdings announced its entry into optical communications at a smart display exhibition, unveiling solutions including Micro LED and expressing optimism about automotive products and the short-reach optical transmission market. The company expects operations to improve gradually over the year.
Archery association elects new board; Yao Lien-ti wins chairmanship by a wide margin
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Chinese Taipei Archery Association held a members’ meeting and elections for its leadership. 姚連地, president of Yaxin International Development, was elected chairman and expressed enthusiasm for promoting archery.
FSC launches investigation after app glitches following Taishin and MasterLink Securities merger
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
台新證券 and 元富證券 merged on April 6, with 台新證券 as the surviving company. Following the merger, 台新證券’s market share jumped from 16th to 4th place. However, connection problems affected both companies’ apps on April 7, the first trading day after the merger. The Financial Supervisory Commission’s Securities and Futures Bureau has begun investigating the cause of the system failure and its impact on investors, and has asked 台新證券 to respond to customers.
Penghu police identify suspect and solve 2 cases involving repeated thefts from cars and scooters
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Police in Penghu County, Taiwan, identified a suspect surnamed Li over the theft of valuables from cars and motorcycle storage compartments, solving 2 theft cases. Police urged the public to take thorough precautions against theft.
Taipei City samples produce at wholesale markets; chili peppers, peas and spinach have the most failures
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Spot checks by the Taipei City Market Administration Office on produce at the First and Second Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Markets found that 62 of 900 samples failed pesticide residue standards. The main items failing the standards were chili peppers, peas and spinach, and a total of 8172 kg was discarded. The office asked the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation to step up guidance and outreach on pesticide use at production sites. Products that fail the standards are banned from sale, and supplies will be suspended if no improvement is seen.
Antarctic sea ice is melting at an accelerating pace, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reclassified emperor penguins from “Near Threatened” to “Endangered.” Emperor penguins depend on sea ice for their habitat, feeding and breeding, and the early breakup and disappearance of the ice is causing their population to plunge. Changes in sea ice caused by climate change are expected to halve the emperor penguin population by the 2080s. IUCN experts concluded that human-caused climate change is the most serious threat to emperor penguins.
A century after the National Palace Museum’s founding, PTS program focuses on behind-the-scenes stories
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The National Palace Museum is working to preserve cultural artifacts and pass them on to future generations, as Director 蕭宗煌 puts it: “A century is a process, not an endpoint.” Book and document conservator 高宜君 stressed that restoration is not just a technical task, but a dialogue with those who came before. She uses handmade paste and other techniques to preserve artifacts as much as possible in their original condition. Docent volunteer 王雪吟 spoke about the importance of turning knowledge into stories that draw visitors into history. The museum is also using innovative methods involving AI and social media, including the “AI Ancient and Modern Go Game Zone” and a collaboration with BLACKPINK, to deepen its engagement with visitors. These efforts will be featured in “The People Behind the National Palace Museum’s Century” on PTS at 2:30 p.m. on the 11th.
EU criticizes Israeli airstrikes, urges Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon that caused heavy casualties and called for Lebanon to be included in the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. Kallas said Israel’s right to self-defense should not lead to widespread destruction, and that its actions were putting the U.S.-Iran ceasefire under pressure. She stressed that the ceasefire should be extended to Lebanon and supported disarming Hezbollah. Kallas also met with the Saudi foreign minister and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss turning the ceasefire into lasting peace.
PharmaEssentia acquires Canadian partner for NT$1.15 billion to strengthen North American presence
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
PharmaEssentia’s board approved the acquisition of 100% of Canadian partner FORUS for NT$1.15 billion to strengthen its North American presence. FORUS has established a market presence in Canada’s hematology and oncology treatment sectors and built distribution channels. PharmaEssentia’s new drug Ropeg was added to Health Canada’s List of Drugs for Exceptional Importation and Sale in 2025 Q1, and is expected to be approved for polycythemia vera in Q3 this year. The acquisition will fully integrate resources in Canada and accelerate commercialization of Ropeg and future products.
COSCO Shipping: No plans yet to resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
China’s largest shipping company, COSCO, has resumed booking services for the Middle East using multimodal transport, but said it would hold off on resuming passage through the Strait of Hormuz for the time being because of regional instability.
The Youth Returning Home—2026 Local Revitalization Short Film Competition is being held for the 5th time, jointly organized by 6 counties and cities. The Taiwan Arts and Culture Creation Foundation is the organizer, with New Taipei City, Keelung City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County and Taichung City participating. This year, the competition has expanded to include military dependents’ village cultural communities, and the prize money has also increased. Entries are being accepted from today through June 10, and selected works will be screened at the awards ceremony and a nationwide film festival tour.
Taiwan Athletics Open canceled soon after being upgraded; Sports Ministry says it will continue efforts to host it
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Taiwan Athletics Open had only just been upgraded from a World Athletics Bronze Label to a Silver Label in 2024, but the event scheduled for June 6 and 7 this year has been canceled. It was one of only 46 Silver Label events worldwide and also the final opportunity to qualify for the Nagoya Asian Games. The cancellation is reportedly due to constraints on public funding, but the Sports Administration has said it will support the Athletics Association and use the Sports Development Fund budget in an effort to ensure the event continues.
Water level at landslide-dammed lake upstream of Hehuan Creek falls; storage estimated at 30,000 tons
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The water level of a landslide-dammed lake formed upstream on the Huanhe River following heavy rain has fallen, with its storage estimated at about 30,000 tons. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has stepped up monitoring and plans to begin excavation work on the 12th.
“A Chip Odyssey” screened at Japan’s parliament; Hsiao Chu-chen says it lets the world see Taiwan
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The documentary film The Mountain Makers, about Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, was screened at Japan’s National Diet. More than 50 lawmakers attended, including Keiji Furuya, chairman of the Japan-China Legislators’ Friendship Association, and Tsai Ming-yao, deputy representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan. Director Hsiao Chu-chen said the film offers an opportunity to explore Taiwan’s technological struggles and deepen international connections. It depicts Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, particularly the development of TSMC, and how it has helped build Taiwan’s national strength and important position in the world.
Transportation Ministry invests ten million to reduce wind noise at Danjiang Bridge; work to be completed by the end of August
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is spending NT$11.5 million on measures to address wind noise on the Danjiang Bridge. It was found that the bridge’s pedestrian railings resonate at certain wind speeds and directions, producing the noise. As a short-term measure, sound-dampening rubber strips are being installed, with about 1,200 meters expected to be completed by April 15. In the long term, the plan is to replace them with durable aluminum plate clips, with installation expected to be completed by the end of August. The measures are not expected to affect the bridge’s appearance.
New Taipei City investigates suspected food poisoning at Qingliu Canteen; operator agrees to refund 2 times the amount spent
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
As of 3 p.m. today, 148 people had sought medical care and 23 had been hospitalized in the suspected food poisoning case at Qingliu Canteen in New Taipei City. The city’s health department has referred the operator, whose tests showed a positive result for Salmonella, to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for investigation. The operator pledged to provide affected customers with cash refunds of 2 times the amount they spent and to activate its dual liability insurance. Consumer protection officials urged those affected to keep relevant documentation. The city government will continue to monitor testing and assist with compensation claims.
New pet medication rules take effect in July; pharmacists’ association urges the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to put supporting measures in place
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
As the new system for human medicines used for pets takes effect in July, the Pharmacists Association has urged the Agriculture Ministry’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to improve related support measures. Of the 701 human medicines currently available, only 216 are registered as veterinary medicines, raising concerns about shortages during emergency treatment and after-hours emergencies. For hard-to-obtain items such as medical gases, the association has proposed a “consignment” arrangement for veterinary hospitals. It is also urging the government to streamline administration and pharmaceutical companies to actively apply for registration to ensure a smooth transition and protect animals’ access to medical care.
The Financial Supervisory Commission reported that domestic banks’ pretax profit for the first 2 months of this year reached NT$117.63 billion, a record for the same period and an increase of NT$17.57 billion, or 17.6%, from a year earlier. Growth in lending and rising stock markets boosted interest income, fee income, investment gains and other net revenue. Pretax profit for February alone was NT$50.76 billion, down NT$16.1 billion from January, mainly because January’s base was high and of the Lunar New Year holiday. As of the end of February, domestic banks’ total loans stood at NT$45.8721 trillion, up NT$568.7 billion from the previous month, the second-highest monthly increase on record.
Taoyuan service team conducts joint enforcement operation, apprehending more than 20 undocumented foreign nationals
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Taoyuan City Specialized Operations Brigade and other agencies jointly raided foreign workers’ dormitories and other locations, arresting more than 20 people for illegal employment, overstaying and other offenses.
South Korea to send special envoy of foreign minister; Iran’s foreign minister welcomes move
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling for the restoration of peace in the Middle East and safe passage for South Korean vessels. They also agreed to send a special envoy from South Korea to Iran for consultations.
New Taipei pilots automated sidewalk shade umbrellas, offering relief while people wait at red lights in the summer heat
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
New Taipei City’s Department of Transportation has begun trialing “automated sidewalk umbrellas” with environmental sensors at intersections to help people cope with summer heat. The umbrellas open and close automatically based on temperature and sunlight, providing the public with a more comfortable space while waiting for traffic signals.
T3EX Holdings’ March revenue rises 15% month over month as shipments recover after Lunar New Year
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
T3EX Holdings reported consolidated revenue of NT$1.659 billion in March, up 15.46% from February but down 4.56% from a year earlier. Consolidated revenue for the first 3 months totaled NT$4.847 billion, down 12.99% year over year. The rebound was mainly driven by the return of normal working days after the Lunar New Year and the gradual catch-up of shipments delayed earlier. Performance improved across its sea freight, air freight and China-Europe rail businesses, though the logistics market remains in a period of adjustment.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon cause casualties; Philippines urges diplomatic resolution
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Following Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, the Philippine government expressed deep concern and strongly called for a diplomatic resolution and compliance with United Nations resolutions.
RSV may trigger “bad antibodies”; experts call for publicly funded prevention to protect children
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
RSV can trigger “bad antibodies,” and experts are calling for publicly funded vaccinations to protect children. The Centers for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Welfare said decisions on publicly funding RSV monoclonal antibodies would be prioritized based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and consideration of cost-effectiveness. Lee Ping-ing, chairman of the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association, said prevention through vaccines or monoclonal antibodies is better than natural infection. Chen Hsiu-hsi, a professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Public Health, emphasized that severe RSV infections requiring hospitalization are costly, and preventive antibodies can reduce hospitalization, ICU use and mortality rates, lowering overall medical expenses.
301 investigation focuses on forced labor; Ministry of Economic Affairs: Will not accept the U.S. list wholesale
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched investigations under Section 301 into about 60 economies, including Taiwan, regarding bans on imports of goods made with forced labor. The USTR said inadequate enforcement in some countries disadvantages U.S. companies and workers, and plans to hold a hearing on April 28. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said it had established a coordination mechanism with the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Finance to review U.S. lists item by item, and would not accept them wholesale. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Finance plan to manage and assess products suspected of being made with forced labor based on HS codes. The move concerns efforts to address forced labor in international trade and its impact on Taiwan’s industries.
國台辦 criticizes obstacles to educational exchanges; 陸委會: Mutual accusations are meaningless
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
In response to China’s Taiwan Affairs Office accusing Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities of obstructing educational exchanges, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said mutual accusations were pointless.
Wistron named among the world’s top 100 innovative organizations for 5 consecutive years
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Clarivate’s “Top 100 Global Innovators” is a benchmark list recognizing companies that consistently produce influential inventions and shape the innovative future of their industries. In its 15th edition this year, 12 companies from Taiwan were selected: the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hon Hai, MediaTek, TSMC, AUO, Delta Electronics, Realtek Semiconductor, Wistron, Nanya Technology, ASUS, Coretronic and Silicon Motion. Wistron has been selected for 5 consecutive years. Its president and CEO, Lin Chien-hsun, highlighted the company’s significant investment in key technology fields such as AI and its emphasis on intellectual property management. Wistron continues to provide innovative, high-value new products and technology services to increase its corporate value. It is also actively developing an advanced global patent portfolio spanning multiple countries and diverse technology fields. This year’s list covers 13 countries and regions, with Japan ranking first with 32 companies, the United States second with 18, and Taiwan third with 12.
NTUB Department of Information Management - Industry-Academia Collaboration Zone
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The Department of Information Management at National Taipei University of Business (NTUB IMD) supports businesses through industry-academia collaboration. Centered on system development, data analysis and AI applications, it advances digital transformation and technology implementation. From clarifying needs to presenting results, it offers a traceable and replicable collaboration process. Services include cloud hosting, corporate digital transformation, data services, professional consulting and system maintenance.
NTUB Book Exchange | NTUB Secondhand Book Platform
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Beishang Book Exchange, a secondhand book trading platform for students at National Taipei University of Business (NTUB), is now available. It promotes knowledge sharing and resource circulation among students.
台灣光華雜誌 Taiwan Panorama | Internationalization, bilingual layout, cultural integration, a magazine for Chinese people around the world
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The 台灣光華雜誌 website features articles on Taiwanese culture, industry and food, covering topics such as tea businesses adapting to change, tung blossoms in Ji’an, milkfish in Tainan and the Taiwanese drama The Keeper of the Sacred Spirit.