content_text:
REBOUND: A total of 123,188 overseas students were enrolled last year, nearly returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, the Ministry of Education reported

The Ministry of Education yesterday released its latest census on overseas students, showing that international enrollment has nearly returned to pre-COVID-19-pandemic levels, driven by a surge in Vietnamese students and more Indonesians pursuing full degrees.

A total of 123,188 international students studied in Taiwan last year, compared with 90,895 in 2020 and close to the 128,157 recorded in 2019, the census showed.

The ministry attributed the rebound to incentives and scholarships offered through its recruitment programs.

Students attend a Dragon Boat Festival event organized by National Taiwan University’s Office of International Affairs this year at the school in Taipei.

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education

Vietnamese students made up the largest group, rising to 39,695 from 27,883 in 2023. About 76 percent were enrolled in full degree programs rather than short-term study, the census said.

In line with the government’s New Southbound Policy and broader migration strategy, the ministry said it has continued to expand recruitment channels through programs such as the International Industrial Talents Education Special Program, the Recruitment of Hong Kong, Macau and Other Overseas Students for the Core Industries Program and the International Programs of Industry-Academia Collaboration in Taiwan.

The initiatives aim to provide schools with more flexible options for attracting international students, it said.

Vietnam is among the countries where the ministry is boosting recruitment incentives, alongside Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, the ministry said.

The number of students from Myanmar ranked seventh overall, but has been rising quickly, from 928 in 2020 to 2,973 last year, the census showed.

Most Burmese students come from expatriate families, the ministry said, adding that the growth was likely influenced by local political conditions and Taiwan’s recruitment policies.

To sustain this momentum, the ministry said it would continue subsidizing the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students, enabling it to lead university delegations to Myanmar and introduce students to opportunities in Taiwan.

However, while Indonesian and Malaysian students remained the second and third-largest sources of overseas students, numbers from both countries have been declining.

The total number of Indonesian students overall decreased by 234, but the number seeking degrees has increased by 20 percent, or 2,053 people, the census showed.

The decline in Malaysian students was likely due to falling birthrates in the Malaysian Chinese community, the high costs of overseas study and the expansion of higher-education opportunities locally, the ministry said.

By percentage, Vietnamese students comprised the largest share of Taiwan’s international student population last year at 32.2 percent, followed by Indonesia at 13.2 percent, Malaysia at 7.9 percent, Japan at 7.1 percent and Hong Kong at 5.6 percent.

As China has continued to bar students from studying in Taiwan since suspending permits in 2020, only 3,489 Chinese students remain, all of whom are continuing their studies. They accounted for just 2.8 percent of the total, the ministry said.

title: Vietnam drives overseas student growth


title: Ministry plans flexible STEM teacher hiring

content_text:
SHORTAGE: Schools have faced challenges recruiting STEM teachers, as many people have opted for higher-paying jobs in the semiconductor and AI industries

The Ministry of Education on Thursday announced that it plans to propose an amendment to make the hiring of teachers for technology and information-based subjects more flexible.

Schools have faced increasing difficulty recruiting educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, as many qualified candidates opt for more lucrative careers in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries, the ministry said.

The proposed amendment to the Act on Employing Educators on Specialty Subjects in High Schools (高級中等學校專業及技術教師遴聘辦法) would expand alternative and flexible hiring channels, it said.

A lecturer instructs students at Minghsin University of Science and Technology in Hsinchu County in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of Minghsin University of Science and Technology

According to the draft, applicants would be eligible if they hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, have a minimum of six years of professional industry experience, have worked at mid to large-sized domestic or foreign companies with at least 100 employees or have experience teaching or conducting research at universities.

Applications would be reviewed by a panel of experts, it said.

Those hired through this pathway would be counted as part of a school’s existing staff and could not exceed one-eighth of the total number of professional educators at the institution, according to the draft.

Prospective hires would be required to complete an eight-credit teacher training course and pass evaluations before taking up teaching duties, according to the amendment.

The amendment would also create a new category of “special subjects,” defined as “normal subjects that require better education, but prove difficult to source teaching personnel.”

Further regulations would be drafted to set professional standards for educators in these areas, it added.

The schools would be responsible for overseeing all stages of the candidate selection process, the ministry said.

Teachers hired through this pathway would count toward the school’s existing staffing quota and could not exceed one-eighth of the total number of professional educators at the school, it said.

Once schools finalize their candidate lists, they must submit them to the ministry for further review, the ministry said.

Only after passing the ministry’s review would candidates be granted certificates confirming their eligibility to teach as professional or vocational educators, it added.


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The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday reported progress in its drive to digitize farming, saying initial policy targets have been met, including early warning systems for pests and diseases, as well as reductions in labor and energy costs.

The ministry said in a statement that Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin (黃昭欽) presented certificates to 25 technology companies at the opening of Taiwan Smart Agriweek at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Launched in 2021, the ministry’s smart agricultural technology certification program is designed to help the sector address climate change-related risks, labor shortages and rising production costs, it said.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin, front, center, presents certifications to technology companies at the opening of Taiwan Smart Agriweek at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture

Nearly 100 tech firms have been certified, providing support to fisheries and farmers at 2,000 sites nationwide, and adding an estimated NT$550 million (US$17.96 million) in value to the industry, it added.

At the event, agribusiness owners and tech companies shared insights on the challenges and benefits of integrating technology into farming and fisheries, it said.

AgriTalk Tech Inc said its Internet of Things (IoT) sensors have improved precision in environmental monitoring and pest control, while Kiao Farming Co said its monitoring and warning systems have enhanced the efficiency of farm management, and Mic Meter Industrial Co showcased specialized water-quality monitoring systems for aquafarms.

Chunfacheng Pig Farm, producer of the Odiva pork brand, said IoT-based automation has significantly reduced labor needs and resource wastage at its facilities.

Midori Kawa Fishery said the integration of solar power, automated water circulation and environmental control systems, along with data-driven decisionmaking, has helped it establish a successful brand for Yunlin County.

Nonwei Greens reported that adopting computer software has lowered clerical costs for order management while improving its ability to target new markets.

The ministry said the program was initially designed with a three-year application window, but extensions are available for interested companies.

title: Smart farming drive has met early goals: ministry


content_text:
Taroko sets higher fines for illegal parking, littering

Fines for illegal parking, bringing pets into protected zones and setting off fireworks at Taroko National Park were raised yesterday, the Taroko Gorge National Park Administration Office said.

Penalties for illegal parking have increased from NT$600 to NT$1,500, with repeat offenses subject to fines of up to NT$3,000, it said.

Setting off fireworks, firecrackers, barbecuing or scattering joss paper or other items that pose safety risks would now result in fines of NT$3,000, up from NT$1,500.

Bringing pets into ecological conservatories, heritage sites or special scenic areas — except for roadside stopovers — would incur a fine of NT$1,500, up from NT$600, with repeat offenses fined NT$3,000, the office said.

With the exception of villages, pets not contained in cages or otherwise restrained are prohibited in park areas and original use areas, which are defined under Article 8 of the National Park Act (國家公園法) as “the land and water areas in national parks which do not belong to other zoning areas, and are allowed to maintain original land and water use, including existing villages.”

The rules do not apply to certified guide animals, the office added.

The prohibited activities are aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable park management, the office said, adding that the goal of the fines is not punishment, but to encourage visitors to respect nature.

The public parking lot near Wuling (武嶺) is often used for cooking or partying by nighttime visitors returning from Hehuanshan (合歡山), it said.

Disturbances such as loud music, playing instruments or buzzers, camping, cooking, skiing on snow or grass, swimming, canyoning, canoeing, rock climbing and pitching tents outside designated areas, as well as taking aerial photographs without permission, are subject to fines of NT$1,500 for a first offense and NT$3,000 for repeat contraventions, it added.


title: Groups call for return of Jiji Weir water to farms

people: 陳椒華 施月英

taiwan-subdivisions: 二水 元長 溪州 麥寮 集集

content_text:
Water drawn from Nantou County’s Jiji Weir (集集攔河堰) to meet industrial demand from a naphtha cracker should be redirected to farmland once desalinated seawater becomes available later this month, environmental groups said yesterday, urging authorities to add such clauses when renewing the plant’s water-use contract this year.

Taiwan Hsinchu Foundation chairman Sam Lin (林聖崇) said the plant — built and operated by Formosa Petrochemical Corp in Yunlin County’s Mailiao Township (麥寮) — began diverting water via the weir 30 years ago, sharing it with agricultural users in Changhua and Yunlin counties.

Although the plant has no water rights during the dry season — February to May — it continues to purchase water at low prices from the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Industrial Parks, Lin said.

Jiji Weir in Nantou County is pictured on May 16. Photo: Liu Pin-chuan, Taipei Times

The competition for resources forced local farmers to rely on groundwater, while the diversion of river water by the weir has prevented aquifer replenishment in geologically fragile areas such as Ershuei (二水) and Sijhou (溪州) townships in Changhua County, he said.

This has led to severe land subsidence along the weir, particularly in Yunlin County’s Yuanchang Township (元長), where the ground has sunk by as much as 2m, raising safety concerns for the high-speed rail line running through the county, he added.

Changhua Environmental Protection Union secretary-general Shih Yueh-ying (施月英) said the plant’s massive water consumption has worsened fugitive dust in the region and could also threaten the habitat of white dolphins near the estuary of the Jhuoshuei River (濁水溪).

Formosa Petrochemical Corp should put its seawater desalination plant into operation this month as promised, she said, calling on water resource authorities to impose penalties if operations are postponed again.

Yunlin County Shallow Waters Aquaculture Association secretary-general Lin Jia-an (林家安) said that Formosa Petrochemical Corp received many government subsidies when constructing the naphtha cracker 30 years ago.

However, the corporation has since grown into a highly profitable global enterprise and should not be allowed to compete with farmers for subsidized water, he said.

Taiwan Water Resources Conservation Union chairwoman Chen Jiau-hua (陳椒華) said that the authorities continue to allocate more than 200,000 tonnes of water to the plant during the dry season, despite its production capacity having declined over the past few years.

Given that 100,000 tonnes of desalinated seawater per day are expected to come online this month, while the plant’s average daily water use has been 204,000 tonnes over the past three years, the renewed contract should at least cap its allocation at 140,000 tonnes per day, Shih said, adding that the contract should also require an annual 10 percent reduction in the cap.

The Water Resources Agency said the new contract would include a dry-season water use plan and would require Formosa Petrochemical Corp to promptly activate its desalination facility.

Asked whether the naphtha cracker’s allocation would be cut by at least 100,000 tonnes, the agency said the 100,000 tonnes expected from desalination would be added to the overall supply portfolio before calculating distribution.


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AWD irrigation cuts paddy methane by 32.5%, station says

The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation technique can reduce methane emissions from rice fields by 32.5 percent, while saving 21 percent of irrigation water, the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station said yesterday.

Flooding irrigation has been widely applied in Taiwan’s rice cultivation, but it can easily cause oxygen deficiency in soil and root suffocation, leading to akagare — or “suffocating disease” — that reduces both yield and quality, the station said.

By keeping farmland moist without constant flooding, AWD promotes stronger root development and lowers the risk of suffocation, it said.

Rice is irrigated using an alternate wetting and drying technique in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station

Simulation results using the Denitrification-Decomposition model showed that the method can cut methane emissions by 32.5 percent and reduce water consumption by about 2,500 tonnes, or 21 percent, it added.

AWD assistant researcher Hsu Lung-hsin (許龍欣) yesterday said the AWD technique was initially introduced as a water-saving measure, but has since been found effective in reducing methane.

Microorganisms in oxygen-deprived conditions, such as flooded rice paddies, decompose organic matter and release large amounts of methane, she said, adding that AWD interrupts this process.

To apply the technique, farmers install a perforated tube with internal gradations to monitor water levels in the field, she said.

By digging into the tube with their fingers, they can check the underground water depth and determine when irrigation is needed, she added.

Although the original technique was developed by the International Rice Research Institute, which recommends irrigating when water levels fall to minus-15cm, the approach has proved unsuitable for Taiwan, as it reduces rice yields, Hsu said.

Most rice paddies in Taiwan have clayey soils that dry and crack if irrigation is delayed until minus-15cm, she said, adding that subsequent research found that irrigating at about minus-5cm is optimal for clayey soils in Taiwan.

Agricultural workers can easily make field water tubes themselves by purchasing polyvinyl chloride pipes from hardware stores, she said.

The tubes must be perforated so that the water levels inside and outside remain consistent, and farmland should be leveled in advance to ensure accurate measurements, she added.

Regarding irrigation frequency, fields with clayey soil typically require watering about once a week under the AWD system, while sandy soils might need irrigation as frequently as once a day, she said.


title: Broom Grandpa still sweeping at 98

content_text:
At 98 years old, “Broom Grandpa” Chang Shui (張水) can still be seen strolling the streets of Taitung County, a bundle of handmade brooms slung over his shoulder as he calls out to passersby in his signature sing-song tone.

For more than six decades, his strong hands have bound mountain grass and rattan into durable brooms — tools that sweep away not only dust, but also carry with them the warmth of human connection and a living piece of Taiwanese folk culture.

Once a familiar figure across Taiwan, Chang, affectionately known as “Old Chang the Broom Seller,” now mostly remains in the eastern county.

“Broom Grandpa” Chang Shui sells his wares in Taitung County on June 25 last year. Photo: Liu Jen-wei, Taipei Times

Locals eagerly track his movements on social media, rushing to buy his brooms before they sell out. Despite often declaring that each time would be his last, Chang always returns to the streets to sell his wares.

His signature brooms, tied with tiger grass and rattan strips, require exceptional wrist strength to bind tightly.

“If the knot isn’t firm, the broom loosens after a few sweeps, and no one will want it,” Chang said with pride. “Mine can last five years. People trust me. Some even buy more than a hundred.”

Chang’s creations serve more than household needs.

During Taitung’s famed Bombing of Master Handan (炸寒單) festival, his brooms are swept between “heaven and earth” during firecracker barrages, earning the name tiandi sao (天地掃, heaven-and-earth brooms in Chinese).

Believers say the brooms, once blessed in the fiery ritual, carry protective powers against evil. Smaller versions, known as “lucky brooms,” adorn homes, temples and even indigenous households as talismans of blessing and protection.

For longtime residents, spotting Chang on the streets is a cherished ritual.

“His back is as straight as the brooms he sells,” said Cheng Kuo-cheng (鄭國正), a local historian from Chenggong Township (成功). “Meeting him is more than a transaction. It is about sharing blessings, memories and human warmth.”

Shoppers say they never mind when he insists, “This is the last batch,” only to reappear again.

“I always buy five or six at a time,” said Ms Lee, a longtime customer. “He’s been talking about retiring for years, but I’m glad to be ‘fooled.’ It means he’s still healthy, and we still get his wonderful brooms.”


title: New look

content_text: Players model jerseys for the inaugural season of the Taiwan Professional Volleyball League at a news event in Taipei yesterday. Warmup matches are to be held from Sept. 19 to 21 at the University of Taipei’s Tianmu Campus.


title: Offerings

content_text: Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang, center, holds incense during a Ghost Festival ceremony alongside other officials at the legislature in Taipei yesterday.


title: Skating through

content_text: Inline hockey players who competed in the 20th Asian Roller Skating Championships in Jecheon, South Korea, in July show off their skills at the Nantou County Hall yesterday. Of the team’s 16 members, 10 are from the county. Taiwan came first in the overall medal count at 101, ahead of China in second with 51, claiming gold in four hockey categories.


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STABLE:  While faster than July’s 1.54% growth, it was still within the central bank’s 2% threshold, leaving policymakers room to keep borrowing costs unchanged

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.6 percent last month from a year earlier, quickening slightly from July’s 1.54 percent as Typhoon Podul and heavy rainfall drove up food prices, the Directorate-

General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said yesterday.

The modest uptick kept inflation below the central bank’s 2 percent threshold for the fourth consecutive month, leaving policymakers room to keep borrowing costs unchanged at their policy meeting on Sept. 18.

Food prices, which carry the heaviest weighting in the CPI basket, climbed 3.18 percent from a year earlier, the agency said.

Typhoon-related damage pushed up vegetable costs by 10.9 percent, while pork prices surged more than 8 percent.

Grains rose 3.4 percent and dining-out expenses advanced 3.34 percent, DGBAS official Tsao Chih-hung (曹志弘) said.

Core CPI, a more reliable price tracker that excludes volatile food and energy components, rose 1.74 percent, remaining comfortably within the 2 percent mark and signaling stable underlying price momentum, Tsao said.

Shelter costs advanced 1.8 percent, driven by a 2.29 percent rise in rents and a 5.08 percent gain in household management expenses, the agency’s monthly report showed.

Healthcare costs added 1.75 percent after hospitals raised registration and copayment fees for hospitalization.

Transportation and communication prices fell 1.34 percent, with fuel down 8.56 percent and airfares sliding 5.36 percent. The declines were partly offset by higher train fares and vehicle maintenance expenses, the agency said.

Looking ahead, Tsao said inflationary pressure might ease this month if weather conditions stabilize.

The official also downplayed concerns about potential spillover effects from the 20 percent tariffs the US imposed on Taiwanese goods last month.

“The impact should be limited,” Tsao said, noting that the New Taiwan dollar has appreciated about 7 percent this year, helping to drive import costs lower for the past five months.

Prices of agricultural and industrial raw materials have shown mixed movements, further limiting tariff effects, he said.

At the wholesale level, the producer price index fell 4.98 percent annually last month, dragged down by declines in chemicals, petrochemicals, metals and electronics, the agency said.

However, rising livestock prices and last year’s electricity price hikes helped prevent a steeper fall, Tsao said.

For the first eight months of the year, consumer prices rose an average of 1.83 percent, while producer prices contracted 1.27 percent.

The relative price stability provides a buffer for policymakers, as they balance inflation management with the need to support growth in an economy exposed to slowing global trade and US-China tensions.

title: CPI climbs 1.6% on higher food prices


title: Cloud, networking products lift Hon Hai revenue

content_text:
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), which assembles servers for Nvidia Corp, yesterday said that revenue last month rose 10.61 percent year-on-year, driven by strong growth in cloud and networking products amid continued front-loading orders for artificial intelligence (AI) server racks.

Consolidated revenue expanded to NT$606.51 billion (US$19.81 billion) last month from NT$548.31 billion a year earlier, marking the highest ever in August, the company said in a statement.

On a monthly basis, revenue was down 1.2 percent from NT$613.86 billion.

A Nvidia GB300 NVL72 is seen on display at Hon Hai Precision Industry Co’s headquarters in New Taipei City on May 29. Photo: Cheng I-hwa, AFP

Hon Hai, which is also a major iPhone assembler, added that its electronic components division saw significant revenue growth last month, boosted by front-loading momentum from clients of its core business.

Revenue from its computing division slipped due to a stronger New Taiwan dollar and weaker client inventory buildup, while smart consumer electronics was hit by the local currency’s appreciation, it said.

Compared with July, the company’s cloud and networking operations posted robust growth last month, and its target of tripling AI server rack shipments this quarter sequentially remains on track, Hon Hai said.

The company earlier said that growth momentum from AI servers is expected to continue this quarter and into next year, with revenue from the sector projected to rise 170 percent year-on-year this quarter.

Hon Hai also said AI server revenue increased 60 percent annually to account for more than 50 percent of its total revenue last quarter.

Smart consumer electronics sales last month declined on a monthly basis, as its main products entered a transition phase, Hon Hai said.

Apple Inc is set to launch its new iPhone 17 series later this month.

Revenue in the first eight months of this year totaled NT$4.66 trillion, a 16.65 percent increase from the same period last year, it said.

Revenue growth momentum is expected to accelerate this quarter, both quarterly and annually, as cloud and networking shipments rise and the information and communications technology industry enters its peak season, the company said.


content_text:
TECHNOLOGY SHIFT:  Panel-level packaging technology is expected to succeed CoWoS, as its larger capacity can accommodate more AI chips, CEO George Yi said

Semiconductor equipment manufacturer Skytech Inc (天虹科技) yesterday said it expects to outpace its rivals in a major chip packaging technology shift by delivering in November its first equipment for commercializing fan-out panel-level packaging (PLP) technology .

That would put Skytech ahead of its rivals by about two quarters in supplying physical vapor deposition (PVD) used in PLP technology — also called chip-on-panel-on-substrate (CoPoS).

Most semiconductor equipment makers are expected to ship similar equipment from the second quarter next year, the company said.

Skytech said it expects to ship two more PVDs before the end of this year.

The equipment, which costs up to US$4 million each, is to be showcased at the annual Semicon trade show in Taipei next week.

“One of our winning strategies is ‘speed’ against bigger global rivals,” Skytech CEO George Yi (易錦良) said at the company’s factory in Hsinchu County’s Hukou Township (湖口).

“Leveraging the strength of Taiwan’s major semiconductor companies, we are able to swiftly respond to their needs and roll out new products faster,” Yi said.

The PLP, or CoPoS, technology is widely expected to be a successor to chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) technology, which is currently used in packaging Nvidia Corp’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips.

The major technology shift would replace 300mm round wafer carriers with 310mmx310mm square panel carriers, addressing constraints on usable areas and capacity, the company said.

“Adopting panel-level substrates is the trend, as AI chips are getting bigger and bigger,” Yi said. “A panel-level substrate can produce nine AI chips, which is about 2.25 times more than four chips cut from a 12-inch [round] wafer.”

Skytech is also making inroads into the semiconductor inspection segment by supplying tools for inspecting pellicles used in extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) tools.

EUV tools are utilized by chipmakers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) to produce cutting-edge 3 or 4-nanometer chips.

Skytech plans to introduce an upgraded version of its EUV pellicle inspection equipment in the first quarter of next year. If the development goes smoothly, Skytech is likely to become the second supplier of EUV pellicle inspection tools in the world after EUV Tech Inc based in Martinez, California, the US.

The firm has a broad customer base that includes TSMC and ASE Technology Holding Co (日月光投控), the world’s biggest chip packager and tester.

Skytech’s net profit in the first half of the year plummeted about 62 percent from a year earlier to NT$68.11 million (US$2.22 million), mainly due to foreign exchange losses. Earnings per share fell to NT$1.01 from NT$2.64.

The company still aimed to grow its bottom line for the full year of this year, compared with NT$407 million last year. Revenue would also rise from last year’s NT$2.59 billion, on the back of robust demand from chip packagers and testers, it said.

Revenue slid slightly to NT$974 million during the same period, from NT$1 billion a year earlier. Semiconductor equipment made up about 50 percent of its total revenue, with the other half coming from chip equipment components.

title: Skytech leading race for fan-out PLP tech equipment


title: US to tax chip imports from non-US investing firms

companies: Apple 台積電

content_text:
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration would impose tariffs on semiconductor imports from companies not shifting production to the US, speaking ahead of a dinner with major technology company CEOs.

Since returning to office in January, Trump’s threat of tariffs has alienated trading partners, stirred volatility in financial markets and fueled global economic uncertainty.

“Yeah, I have discussed it with the people here. Chips and semiconductors — we will be putting tariffs on companies that aren’t coming in. We will be putting a tariff very shortly,” Trump said ahead of a dinner with major tech company CEOs.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., from left, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, during a dinner with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Trump said he would be imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports "very shortly" but spare goods from companies like Apple Inc. that have pledged to boost their US investments. Photo: Bloomberg

“We will be putting a very substantial tariff, not that high, but fairly substantial tariff with the understanding that if they come into the country, if they are coming in, building, planning to come in, there will not be a tariff,” Trump told reporters, without giving an exact time or rate.

Trump has made tariffs a pillar of US foreign policy, using them to exert political pressure and renegotiate trade deals, and extract concessions from countries and companies that export goods to the US.

“If they are not coming in, there is a tariff,” Trump said in his comments on semiconductors.

“Like, I would say [Apple CEO] Tim Cook would be in pretty good shape,” he added, as Cook sat across the table.

IPhone maker Apple recently raised its total domestic investment commitment in the US to US$600 billion over the next four years as tech leaders have warmed up to Trump in his second term.

Trump last month said that the US would impose a tariff of about 100 percent on imports of semiconductors, but it would not apply to companies that are manufacturing in the US or have committed to do so.

Taiwanese chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have announced investments in chip manufacturing in the US.

Trump has faced legal pushback in his use of tariffs. His administration has asked the US Supreme Court to swiftly hear a bid to preserve his sweeping tariffs pursued under a 1977 law meant for emergencies after a lower court invalidated most of the levies that have been central to his economic and trade agenda.


title: US employment data to confirm cooling market

content_text:
US employment data — set for release yesterday — was expected to confirm a cooled labor market, as companies pull back on hiring amid continued uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

However, the jobs report is set to attract heightened scrutiny, after a poor showing last month prompted Trump to claim the numbers were “rigged” and take the unprecedented action of firing the commissioner of labor statistics.

US job growth missed expectations in July, while revisions to hiring figures in the past few months brought them to the weakest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jobseekers wait in line to speak to recruiters during the Best Hire Chicago Career Fair in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 7. Photo: Bloomberg

Hours after July’s data release on Aug. 1, Trump charged that then-commissioner of labor statistics Erika McEntarfer had “faked” jobs data to boost Democrats’ chances of victory in the recent presidential election.

He also pointed to the downward revisions to hiring numbers, saying that similar things have happened this year — amid his return to the presidency in January — and “always to the negative.”

However, Nationwide Mutual Insurance chief economist Kathy Bostjancic said that data revisions take place as survey response rates have declined.

If companies respond late, numbers have to be updated to reflect incoming data.

“I’ve never viewed the data as being politically determined or influenced,” she said, but conceded that “there’s room for improvement in data collection.”

EY-Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco said he expected last month’s report “to confirm that a marked slowdown in labor market conditions is under way.”

This comes as business leaders “continue to restrain hiring,” as they grapple with softer demand, higher costs and interest rates, he wrote in a note.

Trump’s stop-start approach to rolling out tariffs has snarled supply chains and made it tough for businesses to plan their next moves. Many firms said they have been forced to put growth plans on hold.

A Briefing.com consensus forecast predicted a slight pickup in hiring to 78,000 last month from 73,000 in July.

The unemployment rate was expected to edge up from 4.2 percent to 4.3 percent.

While this would appear to be an improvement, KPMG senior economist Kenneth Kim said that “last year, the average payroll gain per month was 168,000.”

He said the average so far this year is 85,000 — about half the pace seen last year.

“Recent data highlights a fragile balance in the labor market: labor demand and supply have become subdued, while layoffs remain limited,” Daco said.

“Increasingly, job creation is concentrated within a couple of private-sector industries,” he added.

He added that the labor force participation rate would likely edge down as stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration increasingly constrain worker flows in the coming months.

If last month’s data came in as expected, “there’s a very high probability” that the US Federal Reserve would lower interest rates at the end of its policy meeting from Sept. 16 to 17, Kum said.

Since its last cut in December last year, the US central bank has held interest rates steady at a range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent.

In doing so, Fed policymakers have been balancing between risks of inflation and a deteriorating jobs market.

Economists have warned that Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs on imports could fuel inflation and bog down economic growth over the long run.

The Fed is monitoring the duties’ effects on consumer prices, as officials mull the right timing for their next rate cut, despite Trump’s growing calls for swift and significant reductions.


title: Dutch port

content_text: A paratrooper takes part in a naval demonstration on the first day of the 48th World Port Days in Rotterdam, Netherlands, yesterday. The annual event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the port city.


content_text:
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) is expected to be summoned by the Taipei City Police Department after a rally in Taipei on Saturday last week resulted in injuries to eight police officers.

The Ministry of the Interior on Sunday said that police had collected evidence of obstruction of public officials and coercion by an estimated 1,000 “disorderly” demonstrators.

The rally — led by Huang to mark one year since a raid by Taipei prosecutors on then-TPP chairman and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) — might have contravened the Assembly and Parade Act (集會遊行法), as the organizers had failed to apply for a permit, Taipei police said.

A disturbing photo surfaced following the demonstration, which showed Huang standing in the sea of protesters with his left arm wrapped around the neck of police officer Chen Yu-chien (陳育健).

In response, Huang insisted that he had merely placed his arm on the officer’s shoulder, citing an artificial intelligence (AI)-altered photo of Chen smiling as “proof” that he meant no harm.

Huang later taunted President William Lai (賴清德), telling the administration to “bring it on,” treating the confrontation as a political spectacle and shrugging it off as unfounded political persecution.

While one might characterize Huang’s behavior as bizarre and, frankly, unacceptable for someone in his position, this was by no means an isolated incident. It was simply the latest act in Huang’s ongoing reckless political theater.

Huang played a recording at a legislative hearing in June that seemed to reveal a prosecutor aggressively interrogating a suspect — an apparent infringement of the Personal Data Protection Act (個人資料保護法).

He later revealed the “recording” was AI-generated, calling it an “illustrative example” of “threatening tone and insulting language.”

With his extensive background in law, Huang should be fully aware of the legal implications of his actions. It is clear that he is acting with deliberate intent to sow discord — repeatedly flouting regulations and daring the authorities to hold him accountable has become a deliberate feature of his political playbook.

Huang’s bold disregard for the law mirrors his striking political transformation — once a rather progressive activist, he has come to refashion himself into a right-leaning populist, turning his politics into a series of performative confrontations.

Under his leadership, the TPP has increasingly echoed the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) agenda, aligning with the KMT to force through legislation using their combined majority in the legislature.

The TPP has become a convenient auxiliary to the KMT — less a viable alternative and more a willing attack dog to be released whenever an opportunity to inflame division presents itself.

Since assuming the chairmanship in January, Huang has made no effort to hide what appears to be a personal vendetta against the Democratic Progressive Party and Lai himself. He has repeatedly labeled the president a dictator and openly stated that his primary goal is to unseat Lai in the 2028 presidential election.

Huang’s exact motives are unclear, but it is evident that his chaos is calculated, and could very well be a tool for advancing his political ambitions.

He has already confirmed his intent to run for New Taipei City mayor next year, signaling that his provocations are not just for show, but part of a broader strategy to boost his political profile and consolidate power.

That is precisely what makes Huang so dangerous — not his repeated disorderly stunts, but that his theatrics are weaponized through a formal political platform and sustained by a devoted following.

An opportunist bent on manufacturing discord and disregarding the rule of law is already cause for concern, but one legitimized by institutional authority and backed by a zealous base poses a far greater threat to Taiwan’s political stability.

people: 柯文哲 黃國昌 賴清德

title: EDITORIAL: Huang’s dangerous ambition


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Following the defeat of the recall campaigns, President William Lai (賴清德) met with former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). Their meeting led me to reflect on Tsai’s tenure: a globally lauded success in pandemic control, yet a dismal performance in the 2022 local elections, which reduced the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to governing only one-quarter of Taiwan’s municipalities.

Furthermore, in last year’s legislative elections, the DPP lost its majority, and Lai’s presidential vote slipped to 40 percent, setting the stage for legislative gridlock.

Tsai’s administration was praised internationally, yet it suffered crushing domestic defeats.

This was due to a failure to firmly implement crucial policies such as transitional justice and judicial reform. The administration lacked the talent, planning and most importantly, the ability to effectively execute government directives. At its core, it missed the mark in addressing the electorate’s underlying expectations.

Contentious policies — such as the abolition of the death penalty and legalizing same-sex marriage, which faced significant resistance — were pushed through with little time for a consensus to form.

Although those reforms were applauded abroad, they sparked profound distaste at home.

Efforts toward carbon reduction and green energy — although necessary — were marred by poor planning and implementation. Officials failed to communicate the policies in an accessible and convincing manner to the public.

The disconnect between the administration and the public became focal points for critique, prompting grassroots supporters to drift away from the DPP, a sentiment that remains unresolved.

Moreover, administrations have turned a blind eye to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) cognitive warfare, allowing their influence to take root and grow.

Statements by Tsai during her presidency such as: “Nobody should apologize for their identity,” and “anyone who comes to Taiwan is Taiwanese, hence they should be able to enjoy everything [rights] that we have,” risked blurring the line of national identity and weakening the mental fortifications of citizens.

Beijing’s tactics have become multifaceted: group trips for Taiwanese local politicians, promoting Taiwan-China tourism, staging cross-strait youth exchange programs, inviting Taiwanese politicians to speak on Chinese state media, and deploying platforms such as TikTok, Xiaohongshu (known in English as RedNote) and e-commerce sites.

Under this sustained campaign, many Taiwanese have come to view peaceful unification as a benign option, blindly believing that CCP rule would not be as oppressive as the DPP cautions.

Taiwanese nationalists have identified this psychological hazard and sounded the alarm to mobilize resistance. However, the CCP’s long-term infiltration has quietly ensnared the public.

Anti-CCP efforts are now often misconstrued as sowing hatred, provoking cross-strait conflict or destabilizing society, and are met with public aversion.

In the recall campaign, the electorate was persuaded, voicing their detest for the chaos caused by the recall groups or annoyance at the potential of being labeled as CCP sympathizers.

Indifference to the outcome of the recall campaign was commonplace, with people cavalier about who governs, as long as they can live idly and peacefully. Overall, there appears to be a sense that the public has had enough of the DPP’s advocations.

Nevertheless, to the people who once condemned the 2014 Sunflower movement for supposedly creating social unrest and destabilizing investments — stock portfolios have grown from 3,000 points to 24,000 points.

Are people only now able to feel the slightest gratitude for those brave students? Or will people continue to profit from their courage, while pretending they never needed it?

Chen You-an is a retired financial professional.

Translated by Lenna Veronica Suminski

people: 賴清德 蔡英文

title: A reflection on the ‘great recall’


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Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang’s (黃國昌) so-called “walk and read” event on Saturday last week was a reckless, thinly veiled political stunt that defied legal norms, endangered public order and left eight police officers injured — including one hospitalized.

Although packaged as a benign public stroll in support of former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), the event bore all the marks of a street rally: coordinated mobilization, slogans, traffic disruption and direct confrontations with police.

Footage from the event showed Huang with his arm around a police inspector’s neck. Rather than accept responsibility, Huang offered a defense so implausible it borders on farce: The officer was “smiling,” therefore it could not have been a chokehold. A digitally manipulated image was circulated showing the officer smiling — a crude attempt to reframe facts through fabrication.

Whether coordinated or opportunistic, the incident speaks volumes about the TPP’s willingness to distort reality when the facts are damning.

It was not an isolated incident. Once hailed as a leader of the Sunflower movement, Huang abandoned principle for performance long ago. He left the New Power Party amid scandal, including leaked recordings of internal manipulation, and resurfaced as Ko’s chief political enforcer, steeped in grievance politics. His brand now rests on a cynical inversion: break the law, then cry persecution; provoke chaos, then posture as the rogue dissident.

Nowhere is this more dangerous than in his defense of Ko. Ko is on trial over allegedly misappropriating more than NT$90 million (US$2.94 million). Huang, instead of respecting judicial independence, chooses to whip up crowds, stage public confrontations and brand the indictment as political repression. This is a calculated attempt to pressure the judiciary.

The behavior, coming from a party chairman and declared aspirant for mayor of New Taipei City, is nothing short of disqualifying. Mayors are stewards of public order. Huang is on video physically confronting police and leading rallies that result in injuries, while wielding a persecution narrative like a shield. Is this the leadership that New Taipei City wants? A man who treats legal enforcement as tyranny and his own impunity as a civil right?

Discrediting institutions while playing the victim is embedded in the TPP’s DNA. Rather than take accountability, Huang cries foul. Rather than uphold the law, he undermines it. Rather than preserve democratic institutions, he borrows from the authoritarian playbook: weaponizing freedoms to delegitimize the very system that enables them.

A party built on clean politics and technocratic promise now excels at street brawls dressed up as book clubs and artificial intelligence fakes dressed up as truth. Law enforcement is recast as persecution. Investigations are smeared as witch hunts. Objective standards become tools of oppression. The inversion plays supporters for fools, crosses boundaries and corrodes the lifeblood of Taiwan’s democracy.

Huang is a man of chaos, rehearsing power through confrontation. If this is the preview, the full act as mayor would be dangerous.

What played out on the streets of Taipei was a performance designed to blur the line between activism and anarchy, and to cry persecution when that line is crossed.

If evidence shows Huang violated the law, he must face consequences. Transparency, not appeasement, is the only antidote. Without it, Huang will ride higher on grievance, wielding his favorite banner — persecution — as a shield and a weapon.

Taiwan cannot afford to let the law become optional, especially not for those using it as a prop while trampling it underfoot. New Taipei City does not need a mayor who thinks chaos is a leadership style or that playing the victim is the highest form of civic duty.

John Cheng is a retired businessman from Hong Kong living in Taiwan.

title: The cynical stunts of TPP’s Huang

people: 柯文哲 黃國昌


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In 1868, Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation under a constitutional monarchy. The political and social movements that unfolded in the final years of the shogunate and culminated in the establishment of the Meiji government are known as the Meiji Restoration

At its core, the Meiji Restoration was not just an act of political upheaval — it was a sweeping project of cultural reformation and social revitalization.

Japan’s internal character and external statecraft converged, drawing on the Tang Dynasty’s retrospective reforms and the transformations of the Meiji era, forging the essence of Japanese identity.

As European colonial ambitions surged, Japan embraced militarism, launching its Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in 1940 — a misguided strategy that ultimately led to its demise.

Despite this, Japan’s post-WWII resurgence — akin to West Germany’s rapid postwar recovery and reunification after its division — has been nothing short of remarkable.

In mid-19th-century Germany, the Enlightenment ignited an intellectual tempest: Philosophers, artists, cultural figures and scientists flourished under the newfound liberalism.

That era fostered rationalism, liberating awareness and above all, a thirst for knowledge. The period was crucial to shaping Germany’s identity. The rise and fall of Nazi Germany served as a painful lesson; from its ashes, postwar Germany rebounded with a sense of determination for redemption.

In contrast, Taiwan has long lacked a robust and autonomous national identity. Colonized by Japan, Taiwan absorbed nearly all early modern social forms from Japanese influence, with little space to develop its own.

However, the 228 Incident, which claimed the lives of countless Taiwanese, dealt a devastating blow. In the postwar years, under quasi-colonial governance of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), premodern social habits re-emerged, while decades of martial law inflicted spiritual erosion. Cultural aspirations withered.

Entering the 21st century, Taiwan earned global acclaim for its “quiet revolution,” as political parties alternated power through democratic elections.

Yet party politics have not oscillated along right-left ideological lines. Instead, they reflect fluctuating identities between “Taiwan” and “China.”

Having been shadowed between the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China — both legally and emotionally — Taiwanese have yet to be given the chance to mold a steadfast sense of identity.

To possess a “quiet revolution” without a cultural movement to furnish a century-defining renaissance is to squander a quarter-century in political disarray.

Since 2000, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has held the presidency for five terms, while the KMT has won only twice, suggesting sustained public support. Yet the lingering colonial mindset discourse of “exiled ideology” (流亡殖民) has hindered genuine recognition of Taiwan as a nation encompassing both long-established and newly arrived communities. At the root of this malaise lies the ROC’s exile-era education system, which did little to cultivate a modern civic consciousness and instead reinforced a party-state mentality.

The fog of materialism has solidified into the foundations of consumerism, while national cultural ambitions remain fragile — a weakness that continues to reverberate through Taiwan’s political turbulence.

Taiwan cannot rest on the laurels of its quiet revolution. It must also strive for a renaissance that cultivates civic consciousness and elevates cultural aspirations, spearheading a social movement worthy of a progressive modern nation.

Lee Min-yung author is a poet.

Translated by Lenna Veronica Suminski.

title: Building a Taiwanese national identity


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Respect in the legislature

Question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions at the Legislative Yuan have become a show, with some legislators questioning officials: “Have you tendered your resignation?” slamming podiums or throwing budget books in anger. They perform passionately to attract media coverage and more clicks online — without an in-depth review of Taiwan’s public affairs.

The public entrusts the power of monitoring to the legislature to check facts and clarify accountabilities, not for lawmakers to gain attention by humiliating or shouting at officials. When the Q&A sessions become a show, the administrative flaws and legal problems that need to be investigated are drowned by noise, as procedures and evidence play a secondary role.

When officials attend such legislative sessions, they should be questioned based on procedures and evidence. When lawmakers exercise their monitoring power, they should also respect personal dignity and procedural justice. Taking the Legislative Yuan as a broadcast room, and replacing debate with emotions erodes the credibility of democracy and the dignity of the legislature.

The media and civil society have the same responsibility: They should not sit back and watch or even become accomplices who encourage “performative politics.” Voters, for their part, should try to make choices based on the depth of an issue, instead of the drama of it.

More importantly, the legislative system should specify the scope of questioning, strengthen agenda control, and issue penalties for violations. Lawmakers should also speak based on professionalism and data, rather than relying on emotional expression. As for the public, they can promote substantive discussion of issues through monitoring platforms and public service media, keeping track of the results of investigations and reviews.

Democracy would be hurt if the Legislative Yuan becomes a hotbed for bullying. The media and the public should correct this mistake, and push lawmakers toward rational questioning, so the legislative floor can return to a solemn domain with self-reflection and true responsibility.

Pu Hsiao

Taipei

title: [ LETTER ]


title: EDITORIAL CARTOON

content_text:
A response to my article (“Invite ‘will-bes,’ not has-beens,” Aug. 12, page 8) mischaracterizes my arguments, as well as a speech by former British prime minister Boris Johnson at the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei early last month.Tseng Yueh-ying (曾月英) in the response (“A misreading of Johnson’s speech,” Aug. 24, page 8) does not dispute that Johnson referred repeatedly to Taiwan as “a segment of the Chinese population,” but asserts that the phrase challenged Beijing by questioning whether parts of “the Chinese population” could be “differently Chinese.”This is essentially a confirmation of Beijing’s “one country, two systems” formulation, which says that

By Sasha B.Chhabra

“History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes” (attributed to Mark Twain).The USSR was the international bully during the Cold War as it sought to make the world safe for Soviet-style Communism. China is now the global bully as it applies economic power and invests in Mao’s (毛澤東) magic weapons (the People’s Liberation Army [PLA], the United Front Work Department, and the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]) to achieve world domination. Freedom-loving countries must respond to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), especially in the Indo-Pacific (IP), as resolutely as they did against the USSR.In 1954, the US and its allies

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in China yesterday, where he is to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and Russian President Vladimir Putin today. As this coincides with the 50 percent US tariff levied on Indian products, some Western news media have suggested that Modi is moving away from the US, and into the arms of China and Russia.Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation fellow Sana Hashmi in a Taipei Times article published yesterday titled “Myths around Modi’s China visit” said that those analyses have misrepresented India’s strategic calculations, and attempted to view


title: China is going on the  offensive in Southeast Asia

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The US has long been a key ally in Southeast Asia, but a rising China seeks to upend that

China is expanding its defense networks in Southeast Asia, risking carving the region into rival camps: one aligned with Beijing, the other friendly to Washington. Left unchecked, the Chinese — and by extension, Russian — presence would become even more deeply embedded, setting the stage for a dangerous new round of superpower competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

These findings, outlined in the Sydney-based Lowy Institute’s latest report, come as Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is forging ever stronger international partnerships. Last weekend, he welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Xi and Modi pledged deeper cooperation in the face of the US trade war, and Modi announced the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. Xi said relations would flourish if they remained partners rather than rivals.

On Wednesday, Xi hosted the Russian president again, along with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at a parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

These moves highlight a subtle, but significant shift in power in the region that is challenging for Washington. To avoid a further erosion of influence, the US and nations like Australia, India, Japan and South Korea must strengthen their alliances. However, these relationships are under pressure as the White House recalibrates its global defense strategy.

For decades, Southeast Asia has managed a delicate dance between the superpowers. Security guarantees came from the US, while China has grown to be the most important economic partner. That is not changing yet — but Beijing is closing the gap.

Washington is still the most influential player, the Lowy report said.

The US is a treaty ally of the Philippines and Thailand, and a close strategic partner to Singapore. It also has the largest number of agreements, dialogues and combined military exercises with countries in the region, according to the report.

Beijing ranks eighth — but is systematically stepping up diplomacy through joint exercises, weapons sales, and military training programs. It has found most success in mainland Southeast Asia, becoming a key security collaborator for Cambodia and Laos.

For governments that sometimes bristle at Western lectures on democracy and human rights, China’s non-interference approach is a welcome change. Investment through its ambitious infrastructure program, the Belt and Road Initiative, has also boosted ties.

Moscow, although second from bottom on the list, has complemented China’s efforts by supplying arms to Vietnam and Myanmar. Together, they are creating an appealing alternative among the smaller, poorer states.

The risks for the US and the 10-country ASEAN are considerable. ASEAN already suffers from threats to unity, such as Cambodia siding with China against several fellow members on claims over the South China Sea. Increasing fractures make it more challenging for the bloc to mediate crises or maintain credibility.

More worryingly, this trend could mean that the weaker countries could become even more dependent on China for security needs, giving Beijing a larger voice in their domestic politics and hence in the bloc, which has historically been a bedrock of regional and mostly pro-US stability.

US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and cuts to international aid programs are also hurting confidence. Trips by senior US officials could help, but the messaging is often inconsistent.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Malaysia in July coincided with many ASEAN members receiving letters from the administration declaring new tariff levels. While he was there, the US Department of State laid off about 1,300 staffers, including the Office of Multilateral Affairs in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, which helped lead US diplomacy in the region.

All is not lost. Washington still has strong partnerships and should build on them. One solution could come from Australia, India, South Korea and Japan. Since 2017, they have steadily increased defense engagement with Southeast Asian countries. They share concerns about China’s rising dominance and, as trade-dependent economies, want to protect freedom of navigation. Boosting security engagement with the region and each other might avoid over-dependence on any single actor.

Southeast Asia is a vital strategic theater, connecting oceans, economies and great powers. Its future depends on choices being made now. The region has been able to navigate rivalry before — but that balance could easily tip, and with it, the stability of the Indo-Pacific.

Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asia politics with a special focus on China. Previously, she was the BBC’s lead Asia presenter and worked for the BBC across Asia and South Asia for two decades. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.


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Indonesia’s protests might fade, but the fury will not

Indonesia’s street protests over lawmakers’ allowances reveal a deeper frustration: Almost three decades after the fall of the Suharto dictatorship, political and economic power remain in the hands of the elite. The demonstrations might have died down for the moment — but the fury is unlikely to fade.

Jakarta appeared calmer on Monday, a stark contrast from the mayhem over the preceding days. The immediate catalyst for the violence was the death of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver who was run over and killed by an armored police car during demonstrations in the capital.

Public anger at lawmakers’ greed has been growing. A decision to increase their housing allowance to around US$3,000 per month — nearly 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage — came at a time when ordinary citizens are struggling with the ever-rising cost of living and threats of mass layoffs. Nationwide protests left at least four people dead and hundreds injured. It is the most serious test yet for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was inaugurated about 10 months ago.

His Cabinet has also come under attack. Viral footage on social media showed looters targeting the homes of several lawmakers, including the widely respected Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati. Rioters were later seen carrying Louis Vuitton and Hermes handbags, Labubu dolls, and even bathtubs.

In a national address, Prabowo announced he was rolling back some of the perks and appealed for calm. He also promised a swift and transparent investigation into the motorcycle taxi driver’s death, adding he was shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of security personnel.

Yet under Prabowo’s tenure, there are growing concerns that both the military and police — once immensely powerful under the Suharto regime — are creeping back into public life. Indonesian stocks tumbled by the most in nearly five months on Monday, weighed down by fears over political instability. The rupiah held steady as the central bank stepped in to prop up the currency, which is viewed as a barometer for confidence in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

That steadiness might not last. The root of Indonesia’s problems is structural, embedded in the unfulfilled promises of the democratic reform movement of 1998.

Known as the Reformasi campaign, it was meant to dismantle Suharto’s authoritarian system and decentralize power. He had ruled the archipelago for 32 years, crushing political dissent, and enriching his family and cronies.

The Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 fueled widespread anger with Suharto’s rule. I grew up under his regime and saw how citizens’ dissatisfaction turned into public rage. Suharto was forced to step down the following year after mass protests. The end of his presidency was intended to pave the way for a new system of governance — one that would deliver accountability to its citizens.

For a time, progress seemed possible. Indonesia is now the world’s third-most populous and one of the region’s most dynamic democracies (although that speaks more to Southeast Asia’s weaknesses than Indonesia’s strengths).

However, the old system never completely disappeared. Instead, it was rebranded for the modern age. Many of the grievances reformists once raised about the Suharto era — entrenched corruption, concentration of political power and deep inequality — are prevalent today. Politicians and business tycoons from the previous era still have clout through dynastic parties, family-owned businesses and patronage networks.

Prabowo himself is an illustration of that. He is Suharto’s former son-in-law and an ex-general accused of past human rights abuses (which he denies). The president is seen as detached from ordinary people’s struggles, and his perceived elitism has also deepened public resentment.

That anger was stoked further when lawmakers mocked the protests, with one legislator calling those demanding the dissolution of parliament “the dumbest people in the world.” This arrogance is part of the problem.

Now is the time for Prabowo and his government to display some humility to assuage citizens’ concerns. The president has made a good first move by rolling back some perks and benefits. Suspending or disciplining parliamentarians who use insensitive language would also be prudent, while addressing police brutality and military over-reach would help to reassure a worried public.

Democracy was meant to bring more equitable growth. While it is true that extreme poverty has fallen, inequality has also worsened. Indonesia’s Gini coefficient — a standard measure of inequality — rose to 0.381 in September last year, among the highest in Asia. The situation in urban areas is even more stark. The soaring unemployment rate among young people is giving rise to discontent. In a recent study by the ISEAS Yusof-Ishak Institute, almost 72.4 percent of respondents said it was difficult to find their preferred job, the highest rate among the six Southeast Asian nations surveyed.

The gap between what democracy was intended to deliver and the reality becomes more salient when economic conditions change, said Eve Warburton, director of the Australian National University’s Indonesia Institute.

Moments of fiscal strain expose how precarious life is for the average Indonesian citizen. Instead of heeding voters’ demands, the government’s decision to line the pockets of parliamentarians appears badly out of touch.

Elected officials have also failed to play their checks-and-balances role. Successful candidates are often wealthy or well-connected, tapping into entrenched elite networks to secure nominations and win elections. This further ingrains a culture of corruption.

The protests on the streets are not just about money. They represent a growing disillusionment with democracy. Once that cynicism is normalized, rebuilding trust in the system of governance Indonesians fought for all those years ago might be impossible.

Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asia politics with a special focus on China. Previously, she was the BBC’s lead Asia presenter and worked for the BBC across Asia and South Asia for two decades. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.


title: The US just sent a clear message to Maduro

content_text:
In the southern Caribbean, a powerful US naval buildup is under way off the coast of Venezuela. It includes three of the US Navy’s formidable 10,000-tonne Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, and an amphibious strike group centered on two huge 25,000-tonne San Antonio-class warships carrying US Marines, helicopters and beach landing craft.

The destroyers carry highly accurate land-attack Tomahawk cruise missiles; very sophisticated air defense and intelligence collection capability; and two multi-purpose helicopters each. The big amphibious ships can move their “main battery” — a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2,500 Marines — ashore very quickly anywhere along the northern coast of South America. A nuclear-powered attack submarine might be operating in the area as well.

Collectively, more than 4,000 sailors and marines, and at least half-a-dozen major warships are operating a thousand miles from the US in an area with dense commercial shipping, operating oil and gas platforms, fishing activity, and cruise ships. Why is this high-powered deployment occurring now, and what is its objective?

Ostensibly, the forces are in place to conduct counter-narcotics operations, a worthy goal. Witness the reported destruction by the US military on Tuesday of a boat that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.”

However, most drug shipments to the US move up the Pacific coast via the waters along the west coast of Central America from sources in the Andean Ridge. Many shipments go by air, which a naval flotilla would have little ability to interdict without an aircraft carrier.

I know these counter-drug missions intimately from my time as the head of US Southern Command, the four-star combatant command headquartered in Doral, Florida, near Miami International Airport. For more than three years, I spent much of my time studying the complex patterns of drug movements and begging the Pentagon for the resources to stop them. What I learned is that defeating the drug runners is not about high-tech offensive weapons or massive warships, and certainly not about marines or nuclear submarines. It is about intelligence. The sea is vast, and the number of patrolling vessels constitutes a tiny presence, even with their long-range radars and sonars. Think of patrolling the state of Texas with half a dozen police cars and you get the idea.

If the objective is stopping the flow of drugs, a better plan would be to increase the intelligence collection resources available to Southern Command, including sophisticated satellites and cell-phone intercepts, using its very modern command center in Doral as a data and intelligence fusion center. The US could also make better use of the Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West, Florida, a coalition of more than 20 national partners (up from about a dozen during my time in command over a decade ago), and US law enforcement and intelligence agencies. That might be the best way to assess intelligence and then deploy US Coast Guard cutters (small, fast, and lots of experience in the mission) to do the intercepts. The big, muscular naval flotilla could contribute through intelligence gathering; provide embarked helicopters and small boats; and give physical and logistical support at sea to interagency teams from the coast guard, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

However, the big warships have another mission: to send a very clear message to Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Tomahawk missiles from destroyers or submarines cannot do much against drug runners, but they can take out critical income-generating oil and gas infrastructure. US Marines are not going to take down drug-running high-speed boats a la Miami Vice, but they could be used against oil and gas platforms or Venezuelan military bases along the coast. Submarines and destroyers could sink Venezuelan warships and shoot down military aircraft. Maduro, who has a US$50 million US bounty on his head and is deep into the narcotics trade according to US officials, is on the receiving end of this signal.

I met Maduro during my time at Southern Command when he was minister of foreign affairs. I read his biography and was unimpressed. When I met him at a neutral site during a regional conference in South America, he struck me as unlikely to have the drive or cunning to succeed his boss, the charismatic and clever then-Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. I underestimated him.

That was in 2009. Today, he has not only consolidated complete control of Venezuela, but has become a prominent thorn in the side of the US and many of his neighbors — notably Guyana, which he regularly threatens to invade, and US ally, Colombia.

The US deployment and expressions of support for it by some of Venezuela’s neighbors have triggered splenetic outbursts from Maduro, who said that “the empire has gone mad” and vowed to “defeat American imperialism.”

The US should continue to step up its fight against the narco-trafficking that provides oxygen to Venezuela’s rotten regime, and undermines the peace and prosperity of its neighbors. Some serious gunboat diplomacy that sends Maduro and the region a signal of both the US’ capability and intent is a useful side dish to serve.

James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, a retired US Navy admiral, former supreme allied commander of NATO, and vice chairman of global affairs at the Carlyle Group. Stavridis is dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is on the boards of Aon, Fortinet and Ankura Consulting Group.

This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.


title: Anisimova, Sabalenka to face off

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‘DREAM COME TRUE’:  Amanda Anisimova’s stunning display two months after her brutal Wimbledon final defeat lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium

Amanda Anisimova on Thursday rallied from a set down to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 and reach the US Open final, where she is to take on holder Aryna Sabalenka for another shot at a maiden major crown.

World No. 1 Sabalenka came through her own thriller, beating home hope Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, but it was Anisimova’s stunning display two months after her brutal Wimbledon final defeat that lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Oh my God. It means the world,” 24-year-old Anisimova said after reaching her first final at Flushing Meadows. “I’m trying to process that right now. It’s absolutely a dream come true. This has been a dream of mine like forever to be in the US Open final and the hope is to be the champion.”

Amanda Anisimova of the US returns to Naomi Osaka of Japan in their US Open women’s singles semi-final in New York on Thursday. Photo: AP

Twice New York winner Osaka was playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2021 and embraced the big occasion in the prime-time glare of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The pair twice traded breaks in a tight opening set, and after a delayed line call by the automated system disrupted play, Osaka refocused and let out a big roar when Anisimova hit a shot into the net on set point in the tiebreak.

However, the 23rd seed struggled to carry the momentum forward in the next set, with Anisimova matching Osaka’s intensity.

After the players traded ferocious hits for 12 games in the second set, Anisimova pounced in the tiebreak to drag the match to a deciding set.

The eighth seed, who lost 6-0, 6-0 to Iga Swiatek at the All England Club, powered ahead 4-1 thanks to a forehand winner, and held her nerve from there to secure the victory and reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals.

“It just shows that I’ve worked really hard, especially on my mental game and not giving up,” Anisimova said. “Like today, I could have easily said: ‘Oh she’s playing better than me, and I can’t really do anything.’ I really tried to find a way, any way, I could to stay in the match, even though it was extremely tough and she was playing great tennis. I’ve really worked on myself to really be able to handle those moments and to believe in myself ... and especially since the Wimbledon final. I’ve shifted with my attitude, as well.”

Japanese player Osaka said she felt inspired rather than disappointment after her display.

“I don’t feel sad. It’s really weird ... because I just feel like I did the best that I could,” she said. “Honestly, it’s kind of inspiring for me, because it makes me just want to train and try to get better, and hopefully just give it my very best shot again and see what happens, but I think I can’t be mad or upset at myself.”

Earlier, Belarusian Sabalenka recovered from a nervy start in a rematch of last year’s final, drowning out the partisan fans to beat fourth seed Pegula and is to face an American in the final for a third straight year.

The three-time Grand Slam champion is bidding to win her first major this season after defeats in the Australian Open and French Open finals.

“I badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in finals,” said Sabalenka, who also lost to Anisimova in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

“I have to trust myself and I have to go after my shots. I felt in that match at Wimbledon I was doubting my decisions and that was the main thing that brought a lot of unforced errors,” she said.


title: Slovakia shock Germany 2-0 as Spain cruise

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Germany on Thursday went down to a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier, while Spain kicked off their bid to reach next year’s finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Bulgaria.

Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko burst untracked into the penalty area to fire Slovakia into the lead just before halftime against Germany in Bratislava.

David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, then made it two with a brilliant strike high into the top corner 10 minutes into the second half.

Slovakia’s David Strelec, right, scores past Germany’s Antonio Rudiger in their FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bratislava on Thursday. Photo: AFP

The result gives Slovakia a dream start in Group A as they attempt to qualify for a first World Cup since 2010.

Germany find themselves immediately under pressure even if this game was their hardest fixture in the group on paper.

“We haven’t had a great history in recent years, and we should have realized that if we want to go to the World Cup and play a good role. Today, we were miles away,” Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

Germany have gone out of each of the past two World Cups in the group stage, but have never failed in a qualifying campaign.

“If we perform like we did today, we’ll definitely not qualify,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said.

Nagelsmann’s side came into the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign off the back of losing both of their matches in the UEFA Nations League in June, against Portugal and France.

They must now react quickly when they entertain Northern Ireland on Tuesday, with Luxembourg their other opponents in the four-team group.

Only the group winners qualify directly for the 48-team finals in North America.

Northern Ireland won 3-1 in Luxembourg, with Jamie Reid, Shea Charles and Justin Devenny scoring the goals.

The hosts had gone in on level terms at halftime thanks to an Aiman Dardari equalizer, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card ended their hopes of taking anything from the contest.

European champions Spain, who lost June’s Nations League final on penalties to Portugal, had few problems against Bulgaria in Sofia in Group E.

Mikel Oyarzabal produced an expert finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass to open the scoring inside five minutes and Marc Cucurella fired in a superb second on the half-hour.

Lamine Yamal then set up Mikel Merino for the third goal on 38 minutes and there was no further scoring.

“We’re happy, but we have to keep taking steps forward,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said.

Spain’s next game is away to Turkey, who staved off a Georgia comeback to win 3-2 in Tbilisi.

Mert Muldur’s early opener was followed by two goals either side of halftime by Kerem Akturkoglu and Turkey appeared to be cruising, but Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back and the visitors had Baris Alper Yilmaz sent off.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then made it 3-2 deep in stoppage-time, but Turkey held on for the victory.

The Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Rotterdam in Group G, despite taking the lead in the first half through Denzel Dumfries.

Matty Cash equalized with a ferocious late strike to deny Ronald Koeman’s team, but the Dutch still the top the group on seven points — they lead Poland and Finland on goal-difference and also boast a game in hand.

Lithuania scored a penalty deep in stoppage-time to draw 1-1 with Malta in the same group.

Belgium walloped minnows Liechtenstein 6-0 away in Group J, with Maxim de Cuyper opening the scoring.

Youri Tielemans netted twice, including a penalty, while Arthur Theate, Kevin de Bruyne and Malick Fofana also struck.

That result leaves Belgium three points behind group leaders Wales with two games in hand. Craig Bellamy’s side won 1-0 in Kazakhstan earlier thanks to a Kieffer Moore goal.


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Lionel Messi on Thursday scored twice for Argentina in emotional scenes in Buenos Aires, while Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay joined the reigning champions at next year’s World Cup.

In his last home qualifier for his nation and with Argentina having already booked their place in North America, Messi struck in the 39th and 80th minutes to bag a 3-0 win over Venezuela.

Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, sparkled in front of an adoring crowd of 80,000 at the Mas Monumental to underline his enduring quality.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, scores against Venezuela in their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday. Photo: AP

The Argentine legend is to turn 39 during next year’s World Cup, but despite his advanced years he looks set to play another pivotal role as Lionel Scaloni’s side defend their crown.

Scaloni will rest Messi in next week’s match against Ecuador.

“He made an enormous effort, and deserves a rest and to be with his family,” the head coach said. “He ended up very tired and physically exhausted. He should have come off, but he didn’t because of the emotional nature of the match.”

Messi had his three sons with him before kickoff and his father, Jorge, was also in attendance to mark the occasion.

Uruguay sealed their berth in the US, Canada and Mexico by beating Peru 3-0 at home, while Colombia saw off Bolivia by the same scoreline.

Paraguay also reached the finals after a 0-0 home draw against already-qualified Ecuador.

Brazil, who had also already qualified, swept Chile aside 3-0 at the Maracana with the English Premier League trio of Estevao, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes getting the goals.

It was 18-year-old Chelsea winger Estevao’s first goal for his country.

In front of 60,000 at a packed-out Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Rodrigo Aguirre put Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on their way on 14 minutes.

The Club America forward leaped highest to place a thumping header into the top corner past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Uruguay, winners of the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, had needed just a point to qualify and send their charismatic veteran head coach Bielsa to the tournament once again.

The 70-year-old has now taken a third team to World Cup qualification.

Bielsa’s appointment as Uruguay coach in 2023 was greeted with excitement, even euphoria, but an underwhelming qualification campaign has dampened that enthusiasm.

Qualification was always likely in a system that sees six of the 10 sides qualify automatically for the finals, with one more heading into an inter-continental playoff.

Venezuela are currently in seventh place with one more qualifier to go.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay’s lead just before the hour, lashing home from close range to ensure a party atmosphere in the Uruguayan capital.

Federico Vinas scored a third 10 minutes from time.

Colombia also sealed their place in next summer’s extravaganza thanks to a comfortable victory over Bolivia.

The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich attacker James Rodriguez, the breakout star of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, pounced just after the half-hour mark.

Jhon Cordoba made sure there were no late scares with his goal in the 74th minute, before Juan Fernando Quintero made it three.

Like Uruguay, Paraguay needed only a draw to qualify when they hosted Ecuador.

They got the job done as they ground out a goalless stalemate and will be at their ninth World Cup — but their first since 2010.

title: Messi nets emotional brace in 3-0 win over Venezuela


title: Phillies claim series over Brewers

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Trea Turner on Thursday snapped a scoreless tie with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning and Ranger Suarez tossed six shutout innings to pace the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the decider of the three-game series between division leaders.

Alec Bohm ignited the go-ahead rally in the seventh with a one-out triple off Tobias Myers (1-2), who relieved Aaron Ashby to open the inning. Bryson Stott grounded out, but Turner lined an 0-2 pitch to left for an RBI single.

The Phillies added a run in the ninth inning off Joel Payamps on a leadoff double by Harrison Bader and Stott’s two-out double.

Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a triple against the Milwaukee Brewers in their MLB game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

In the bottom of the ninth, Bader robbed Andruw Monasterio of an apparent home run with a leaping grab above the center-field wall.

Suarez (11-6) scattered six hits over his six innings, striking out four and walking two. David Robertson and Matt Strahm each followed with a scoreless inning. Jhoan Duran finished with a perfect ninth for his 26th save and 10th in 11 chances with Philadelphia since being acquired at the trade deadline from Minnesota.

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, who entered with a major league-best 16 victories, allowed two hits over five scoreless innings. Peralta has not allowed a run over five consecutive starts of at least five innings apiece, extending his current streak to 29 scoreless innings.

Milwaukee (86-55) and Philadelphia (81-59) entered with the two best records in the National League. The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5.5 games over the Cubs, who were idle on Thursday. The Phillies moved six games up in the East over the Mets, who also were not playing.

Despite the loss, the Brewers won the season series thanks to an earlier three-game sweep in Philadelphia, which gives them a potential tiebreaker.

The Brewers stranded a runner at third in the eighth inning after a two-out single, a passed ball and a throwing error, but Strahm got Caleb Durbin on a fly to center.

Milwaukee, none-for-10 with runners in scoring position, had runners on second and third with no outs in the sixth inning, but Suarez retired the next three hitters.

Elsewhere, the Pirates downed the Dodgers 5-3, the Yankees overcame the Astros 8-4, the Royals edged the Angels 4-3, the Rays stung the Guardians 4-2 and the White Sox defeated the Twins 11-8.

Additional reporting by staff writer


title: Juan Ayuso sprints to stage 12 victory

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Juan Ayuso on Thursday sprinted to victory in the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana to seal his second win at this year’s race.

After stage 11 on Wednesday was cut short because of a pro-Palestinian protest at the finish line in Bilbao, it was a far quieter afternoon on the winding 145km ride from Laredo to Los Corrales de Buelna in the north of Spain.

People held up Palestinian flags along the route, but there were no disturbances to the race as UAE Team Emirates’ Ayuso edged out Spanish compatriot Javier Romo, with Brieuc Rolland coming in third, 13 seconds behind.

Spain’s Juan Ayuso crosses the finish line to win the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana in Corrales de Buelna on Thursday. Photo: AFP

UAE announced this week that they would part ways with Ayuso at the end of the season, with the Spaniard saying he felt he had been afforded a lack of respect by his team.

Leader Jonas Vingegaard and the peloton came in well over six minutes behind, but the Dane stayed in red, followed by Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock.

Despite the organizers urging Israel-Premier Tech to pull out, given they were the target of the protests, they refused and started the stage in Laredo.

After the first few kilometers a 40-strong break shook loose of the peloton, with more riders bridging the gap to create a 52-man break.

The huge group put nearly five minutes between themselves and the peloton which included Vingegaard in the red jersey.

Eventually the break fractured and Ayuso pushed out in front with Romo hot on his tail.

Ayuso showed greater power to fly past Romo on the home straight, with the latter slapping his handlebars in frustration as the former celebrated.

“The sprint ... I did quite well,” said the triumphant 22-year-old, linked with a move to Lidl-Trek for next season. “I know this road a lot because it’s where the junior races finish as well, so I knew how to time my sprint.”


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‘COALITION OF THE WILLING’:  Twenty-six countries committed to deploy a ‘reassurance force’ in Ukraine to prevent Russian aggression after a peace deal, France’s president said

Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday warned that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be a “legitimate” target for Moscow’s army, a day after Kyiv’s allies said they had committed to a troop presence in the event of a peace deal.

Two dozen countries, led by France and the UK, pledged Thursday to join a “reassurance” force on land, at sea and in the air to patrol any agreement to end the conflict.

Kyiv said that security guarantees, backed by Western troops, are crucial to any agreement, to ensure Russia does not relaunch its offensive in the future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, yesterday. Photo: Roscongress Foundation via AP

“If some troops appear there, especially now during the fighting, we proceed from the premise that they will be legitimate targets,” Putin said.

The deployment of such a force was not conducive to long-term peace, he said, adding that Ukraine’s closer military ties with the West were one of what he called the “root causes” of the conflict.

Ukraine’s allies have not revealed any specific details of the plan, including how many troops it would involve and how specific countries would contribute.

“We have today 26 countries who have formally committed — some others have not yet taken a position — to deploy as a ‘reassurance force’ troops in Ukraine, or be present on the ground, in the sea, or in the air,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, as he stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Zelensky hailed the move, saying: “I think that today, for the first time in a long time, this is the first such serious concrete step.”

The troops would not be deployed “on the front line,” but aim to “prevent any new major aggression,” Macron said.

Putin yesterday said that if a deal could be struck, there was no need for the troops.

“If decisions are reached that will lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply don’t see the point in their presence on the territory of Ukraine. Because if deals are reached, let no one doubt that Russia will comply with them in full,” he said.

Putin earlier this week said his troops were advancing across the entire front line in eastern and southern Ukraine and that he would continue to fight if a peace deal was not reached.

The extent of any US involvement in a possible Western peacekeeping force remains uncertain and there are also divisions within the “coalition of the willing.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for instance, urged more pressure on Monday, but has remained cautious about the scope of involvement.

title: Putin threatens foreign troops in Ukraine


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Veteran Thai politician Anutin Charnvirakul won a vote in Parliament yesterday to become the country’s next prime minister, according to an unofficial running tally broadcast live on television.

Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai party, won more than 247 votes — the required majority — from the House of Representative’s 492 active members. His total must be certified after voting is completed.

He and his government are expected to take office in a few days after obtaining a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thai demonstrators with face paint in the colors of the Thai national flag hold signs that read “No prime minister from the Pheu Thai Party,” as they gather before the voting for a new prime minister, outside the parliament in Bangkok yesterday. Photo: EPA

Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed by court order as Thai prime minister last week after being found guilty of ethics contraventions over a politically compromising phone call with neighboring Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.

The dispute erupted into a deadly five-day armed conflict in July.

Anutin had served in Paetongtarn’s Cabinet, but he resigned and withdrew his party from her coalition government after news of the leaked phone call caused a public uproar.

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul gestures after he was elected as Thailand’s new prime minister at the parliament in Bangkok yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Only five candidates, nominated during the general election in 2023, were eligible under Thailand’s constitutional rules.

The Pheu Thai Party, currently leading a caretaker government, attempted to dissolve Parliament on Tuesday, but the acting prime minister said their request was rejected by the king’s Privy Council.

Anutin had served in the Pheu Thai-led coalition government that took power in 2023 and before that in the military-backed, but elected government under former prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Anutin is best known for successfully lobbying for the decriminalization of cannabis, a policy that is now being more strictly regulated for medical purposes. He also played a high-profile role as minister of health during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was accused of tardiness in obtaining adequate vaccine supplies to fight the virus.

His party has promised to dissolve Parliament within four months in exchange for support from the People’s Party.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said it would remain in the opposition, leaving the new government potentially a minority one.

An Anutin-led government would have to commit to organizing a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution by an elected constituent assembly, People’s Party said.

The party has long sought changes to the constitution — which was imposed during a military government — to make it more democratic.

The People’s Party, then named the Move Forward Party, won the most seats in the 2023 election, but was kept from power when a joint vote of the House and the Senate failed to approve its candidate for prime minister.

Senators, who were appointed by a military government and were strong supporters of Thailand’s royalist conservative establishment, voted against the progressive party, because they opposed its policy of seeking reforms to the monarchy.

The Senate no longer holds the right to take part in the vote for prime minister.

After Move Forward was blocked from taking power, Pheu Thai had one of its candidates, real-estate executive Srettha Thavisin, approved as prime minister to lead a coalition government. However, he served just a year before the Constitutional Court dismissed him from office for ethical contraventions.

Srettha’s replacement, Paetongtarn, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter, also lasted just a year in office. Even before she was forced out, her government was greatly weakened when Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party abandoned her coalition. Its withdrawal left Pheu Thai with just a tiny and unstable majority in Parliament.

title: Thailand picks Anutin as new prime minister