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記者蔡佳坊/高雄報導

國立高雄科技大學與勞動部勞動力發展署高屏澎東分署攜手合作，於高科大建工校區成立「AI智慧製造人才培訓據點」。該據點以AI智慧製造為核心，結合學術研究與產業能量，建立完善的人才培訓與技術應用體系，期望成為南部推動產業升級與AI實務導入的重要基地，培育符合未來產業需求的關鍵專業人才。

課程設計以「企業實務導入」為導向，訓練重點聚焦於智慧製造應用技術，並採「待業者再就業」與「在職者職能提升」雙軌並行模式，讓學員可依個人需求彈性參與。藉由系統化課程與實作訓練，補足AI產業轉型過程中迫切的人才缺口，協助勞工掌握產業所需核心能力，進而強化南部區域產業的整體競爭力。

目前據點已開辦或進行中的課程包括職前訓練班【AI Agent應用實務第2期】及在職班【AI故障預測與預防性維護】，均獲學員熱烈迴響，顯示AI應用技能培訓的高度需求。現正熱烈招生中的課程包含職前訓練班【Python人工智慧應用系統】、【多元AI智慧製造應用技術班第01期】、【多元AI智慧製造應用技術班第02期】，以及在職班【AI品質檢測技術：影像辨識與自動缺陷檢測】。待業者報名參訓最高可享政府補助80%至100%，協助民眾以最低成本強化AI核心技能，搶先掌握智慧製造時代的就業優勢。

課程內容結合理論與實務操作，涵蓋AI程式應用、智慧製造整合與影像辨識檢測等核心技術，協助學員從基礎到進階全面掌握AI應用能力，成為企業數位轉型與智慧製造升級的重要戰力。未來，高科大將持續深化跨領域AI應用培訓，整合學界與產業資源，協助在地企業加速數位轉型、推動智慧製造升級，並創造更多優質就業機會，帶動南部產業邁向高值化與永續發展。

課程資訊：

Python人工智慧應用系統第 01期

https://its.taiwanjobs.gov.tw/Course/Detail?ID=157902

多元AI智慧製造應用技術班第01期第 01期

https://its.taiwanjobs.gov.tw/Course/Detail?ID=159044

多元AI智慧製造應用技術班第02期第 02期

https://its.taiwanjobs.gov.tw/Course/Detail?ID=159059

AI品質檢測技術：影像辨識與自動缺陷檢測

https://ojt.wda.gov.tw/ClassSearch/Detail?PlanType=5&OCID=167650

▲「Python人工智慧應用系統」課程開放報名中，歡迎踴躍參加！（圖／高科大教育推廣中心提供）

▲「多元AI智慧製造應用技術」課程熱烈招生中。（圖／高科大教育推廣中心提供）

title: 高科大攜手勞動部成立AI智慧製造據點　南部產業升級添新動能


taiwan-subdivisions: 花蓮 板橋 新北市 太平 宜蘭 光復 獅子 新北

content_text:
記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

從事生命禮儀工作的陳書玄，與一群志同道合的朋友成立「隱慈善會」，甫於今年6月底取得立案證書，即馬不停蹄地從事濟困扶貧工作，不僅資助板橋地區3個弱勢家戶，每案3至4萬元不等，也到宜蘭送營養品給弱勢兒少；花蓮發生馬太鞍溪溢流潰堤淹沒光復鄉災變，「隱慈善會」也遠赴救災並捐贈7萬元物資。理事長陳書玄表示，慈善會雖剛成立，但會員士氣高昂，哪裡有需要，慈善會就會往那裏去幫忙。

▲社會局副局長許秀能（左2）代表贈送奶粉、尿片給幼兒曾祖母 左1為「隱慈善會」理事長陳書玄 右1、2為板橋第一社福中心督導陳慶家和主責社工姜延蓉。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

板橋一名年僅1歲2個月的幼兒，生母在生下3個月後，即交由生父撫養而不知去向，生父年僅22歲，又有些身心問題，無力照顧，最後由曾祖父母代為撫養，盡管曾祖父母非常疼愛小孩，但兩人均年歲已大，僅賴曾祖父每月勞保退休金及曾祖母從事資源回收。社會局雖每月給予中低老生活津貼4,146元，並幫忙申請租屋補助每月4,400元，但生活仍相當拮据，因此板橋第一社福中心督導陳慶家媒合「隱慈善會」濟助3萬元。

▲本身也育有3名小孩的陳書玄（左2）逗弄著小孩。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

曾祖母於日前用兒童椅推著稚嫩的曾孫到板一社福中心，主責社工姜延蓉立即抱起小孩呵護，小孩並不怕生。姜延蓉表示，已服務該個案快一年，因此小孩喜歡她抱抱。陳書玄當場給予3萬元，社會局副局長許秀能也代表提供實物銀行奶粉、尿片等物資，曾祖母相當感激。

▲隱慈善會成員日前也到花蓮光復鄉，捐助物資以及清理泥砂。(圖/新北市社會局 提供)

另外板二社福中心也轉介一位遭逢變故的女看護工，因腦中風復健無力工作；以及一個家庭夫妻年邁多病，女兒又患有癲癇，「隱慈善會」分別濟助3萬5千元和4萬元。陳書玄表示，慈善會目標每個月至少要幫助一個個案，透過社福中心的服務審核提報，慈善會非常的信任和放心。

許秀能表示，陳書玄行善不只一端，他曾任太平獅子會會長，2年前曾以獅子會300A2區第十五分區主席名義，代表捐贈家樂福禮券33萬7,500元，提供給寄養家庭安置兒少採買使用。今年6月間，更個人捐助由社會局從小安置的少年10萬元，希望幫助他完成籃球明星夢。

title: 不只生命禮儀     更投身慈善     「隱慈善會」成立四個月即跨縣市濟困     助板橋弱勢、遠赴花蓮賑災


title: 新北市聯合婚禮浪漫登場     102對新人交換誓言     在新北市展開甜蜜新生活

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記者黃俊育 / 新北報導

2025新北市聯合婚禮（19）日於新北市政府浪漫登場，102對新人在市長侯友宜、副市長劉和然的見證下，互許終身、交換誓言，齊聲喊出「我願意！」，現場洋溢著滿滿幸福與祝福，溫馨氣氛瀰漫整個會場。

侯友宜表示，今年聯合婚禮特別準備「水晶珍珠項鍊」作為定情信物，寓意「珍愛永恆、幸福相隨」。婚禮選在市府舉行，營造優雅舒適氛圍，以「浪漫唯美」為服裝主題，讓新人們身著中西式禮服亮麗登場，幸福洋溢，恭喜新人們找到心目中的另一半。

今年共有 226 對新人報名參加，展現新人們對新北市聯合婚禮的高度期待與肯定。最終經抽籤錄取 100 對新人，市府並特別邀請 2 對從單身聯誼活動中結緣的新人，他們從相識、相戀一路走到紅毯的這一端，象徵「幸福從相遇開始」。因此，今年共有 102 對新人 在現場共同見證屬於他們的甜蜜時刻。

▲102對新人在侯友宜、劉和然的見證下，互許終身、交換誓言，現場洋溢著滿滿幸福與祝福。(圖/新北市民政局 提供)

婚禮現場也見證了許多動人的愛情故事，其中有兩對新人從「新北耶誕城」開始愛情旅程，在今天的聯合婚禮修成正果。每段故事都映照出最真摯的情感與幸福，也見證愛情在新北生根、綻放。

侯友宜強調，新北市為鼓勵新人在地婚育生養，持續推動「婚育一條龍」政策，從單身聯誼、聯合婚禮到生育補助、好孕專車、公共托育等，全方位協助市民在新北安心成家。明(115)年1月起，生育獎勵金再度加碼為第一名4萬元、第二名4.5萬元、第三名（含）以後5萬元，減緩家長在育兒經濟上的負擔。

同時，為打造更友善的孕婦環境，新北市的好孕專車將在明(115)年2月起加碼補貼，補貼趟次由原本的28次增加到36次，每趟補助金額由200元調升至250元，最多可補助9,000元，估計逾8,000名孕婦受惠，並擴大補助範圍，不限搭乘用途，提高孕婦外出便利性，使用期限至預產期後 6 個月內；市府同時加碼司機高趟次獎勵機制，單月100趟次以上5,000元、50趟次以上2000元。

民政局長林耀長補充，今年市府準備超值6項結婚好禮，每對新人皆可獲獎外，並加碼抽出海外蜜月旅遊、家電好禮、餐券等，共計51個獎項，並提供符合服裝主題新人裝扮獎勵金2,000元，除此之外，備取新人也能參加抽獎。值得一提的是，參加聯合婚禮的102對新人中，有8對已經有愛的結晶，市府貼心致贈「好孕彌月禮盒」及「寶寶見面禮」。其他新人若於婚禮後一年內懷孕，也能獲得好禮，展現新北市打造友善婚育環境的用心與祝福。

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北市 中西 新北


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▼為推廣基層體育教育並促進各年齡層體育交流，台南市立九份子國民中小學於114年10月18日至19日盛大舉辦「第一屆台灣健士盃排球錦標賽」。（圖/九份子國中小提供）

【記者吳玉惠/臺南報導】 台南市立九份子國民中小學為推廣基層體育教育並促進各年齡層體育交流，於114年10月18日至19日盛大舉辦「第一屆台灣健士盃排球錦標賽」。本屆賽事邀集國小學童、國中選手乃至九人制長青組齊聚一堂，展現「排球無界、世代同場」的精神，活動現場氣氛熱血沸騰、精采不斷。

本次賽事由九份子國中小承辦，特別與在地社區及台南市排球委員會攜手合作，共吸引來自全市超過32支隊伍報名參賽外，更有來自嘉義的3個隊伍加入，參賽人數和陪同的家長突破600人次，堪稱九份子社區歷來最大型的排球盛事。比賽採分齡分組制，從國小組、國中組到九人制長青組各自競技，讓不同年齡層的選手都有發揮與切磋的舞台。

開幕式於九份子國中小活動中心揭開序幕，接著由家長會長王俊憲與康校長共同為比賽鳴哨開球。九份子國中小校長康晉源表示：「排球是一項講求團隊合作與臨場反應的運動，我們希望透過健士盃的舉辦，不僅提升學生對運動的熱忱，也促進社區與學校的體育連結，打造一個跨世代的健康共學場域。」本次賽事除了是第一屆健士盃排球賽事，另一個重大意義也是學校二期新建校舍工程風雨球場的提前落成啟用。

▲九份子國中小校長康晉源致詞-開幕式於台南市立九份子國民中小學活動中心揭開序幕。（圖/九份子國中小提供）現場除了激烈賽事外，讓來賓與家長也能參與其中，感受運動的樂趣與健康的重要性。不少家長也紛紛表示，能看到孩子與長輩同場競技是一種難得的體驗，活動讓人感受到滿滿的溫度與凝聚力。

參與比賽的五年級學生吳思漫分享：「這是我第一次參加在學校所舉辦正式的排球錦標賽，一開始很緊張，但看到家人和學校老師們的加油，我打得越來越有信心，也更喜歡排球了！」

九人制長青組的黃建松主任則表示：「能和年輕選手一起在場上奮戰，我感受到排球不只是比賽，更是一種能跨越年齡、世代傳承的運動文化。」

這場跨年齡的賽事，成功展現了全民運動的價值，也為九份子地區帶來活力與希望。未來，九份子國中小將持續推動多元運動發展，期盼打造一個促進健康、凝聚情感的優質教育環境。

taiwan-subdivisions: 臺南 成功 嘉義

title: 排球世代齊聚九份子　首屆台灣健士盃熱血開打


title: Urban mining could evade China’s grip

content_text:
COOPERATION: Taiwan is aligning closely with US strategic objectives on various matters, including China’s rare earths restrictions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said   By Liao Chia-ning, Su Yung-yao and William Hetherington / Staff reporters, with staff writer

Taiwan could deal with China’s tightened export controls on rare earth metals by turning to “urban mining,” a researcher said yesterday.

Rare earth metals, which are used in semiconductors and other electronic components, could be recovered from industrial or electronic waste to reduce reliance on imports, National Cheng Kung University Department of Resources Engineering professor Lee Cheng-han (李政翰) said.

Despite their name, rare earth elements are not actually rare — their abundance in the Earth’s crust is relatively high, but they are dispersed, making extraction and refining energy-intensive and environmentally damaging, he said, adding that many countries have opted to import the materials instead of mining them.

A sample of monazite, a mineral used in the rare earth industry to extract some elements, is displayed next to a magnifying glass at the Geological Museum of China in Beijing on Tuesday last week. Photo: Reuters

Over the years, China has poured vast resources into building a vertically integrated rare earth industry with cost advantages, and now controls more than 90 percent of the world’s refining capacity, dominating the global market, he said.

“Industrial and electronic waste often contains higher concentrations of rare earths than natural deposits, and the process generally requires less energy and produces less pollution,” he said.

“As environmental responsibility becomes central to corporate operations, urban mining has gained momentum globally,” he added.

Apple Inc has long operated recycling programs that recover not only precious metals, but also rare earth elements, contributing to circular economy and carbon reduction goals, Lee said.

In response to remarks by US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent that Washington would coordinate with allies in response to China’s rare earths export restrictions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said that Taiwan is aligning closely with US strategic objectives on various matters.

Taiwan would explore exchanges and cooperation with the US under existing bilateral mechanisms to build a “non-red supply chain” for critical minerals, a foreign affairs official said, adding that this would help strengthen the resilience of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and bolster the nation’s commitment to investment in the US.

Beijing’s restrictions should serve as a wake-up call for countries to recognize the strategic importance of rare earths and accelerate efforts to decouple from China, Institute for National Defense and Security Research cybersecurity director Ho Tseng-yuan (賀增原) said.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has already demonstrated a resolve to do so with measures including investments in various minerals companies, he said.

For example, the US Department of Defense in July acquired a 15 percent stake in MP Materials, and on Oct. 6 announced it had invested US$35.6 million to acquire a 10 percent stake in Canadian mining firm Trilogy Metals, and it is in ongoing talks to acquire an 8 percent stake in Critical Metals, which holds rights to Greenland’s largest rare earth project, he said.

The US Department of Energy is also planning to obtain a 5 percent equity stake in Lithium Americas and its Thacker Pass project, Ho said.

France and Japan have also announced plans to jointly build Europe’s first and largest rare earth recycling plant, expected to begin production by late next year and supply the European automotive and wind power sectors, he said, citing a report by Agence France-Presse.

“China’s moves have prompted nations to re-examine the strategic value of rare earths, accelerate supply chain diversification, and strengthen regional alliances for the mining and refining of critical minerals,” Ho said.

“The concept of urban mining has also already become a key element in global efforts to recycle and restore essential minerals through circular economy practices,” he added.


title: Taiwan tops Asia in hospice palliative care: center

content_text:
MAINTAINING DIGNITY:  More Taiwanese are willing to make advance plans for the final stages of their lives, demonstrating concern for patient autonomy, an official said

Taiwan ranked first in Asia for hospice and palliative care, the World Map of Palliative Care released by a WHO collaborating center said.

The report, released earlier this month by ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care at the University of Navarra in Spain, analyzed and compared the status in 201 countries.

The global ranking is headed by Germany, followed by the Netherlands and Taiwan.

A plaque bearing the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s name and logo is pictured at its headquarters in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo: CNA

As of Oct. 12, more than 1.09 million people in the nation had signed an advance decision, and more than 670,000 people had signed an advance directive for organ donation, Ministry of Health and Welfare data showed.

This year, 64,396 people have added a hospice care annotation to their National Health Insurance (NHI) information, while 32,975 have registered as organ donors and 25,149 people selected an advanced decision annotation, the ministry said.

The largest age group with a hospice care decision are those aged 60 to 69, accounting for 24 percent, followed by people aged 50 to 59, accounting for 18 percent.

The largest age group with an advance decision are also those aged 60 to 69, accounting for 27 percent, followed by people aged 50 to 59, accounting for 21 percent.

The numbers show that more Taiwanese are willing to make advance plans for the final stages of their lives, demonstrating their concern for patient autonomy and the importance of a dignified death, the ministry’s Department of Medical Affairs Director-General Liu Yueh-ping (劉越萍) said on Saturday.

Since the Hospice Palliative Care Act (安寧緩和醫療條例) took effect more than 25 years ago, public support for it along with two related acts — the Human Organ Transplantation (人體器官移植條例) and the Patient Right to Autonomy (病人自主權利法) acts — have gradually increased, the Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center (TORSC) said.

More people are willing to plan ahead and communicate in advance to maintain their dignity and quality of life at the end of their lives.

The ministry encourages people to use their NHI card and Citizen Digital Certificate to log into the online advance decision, palliative care and organ donation intention information system to sign hospice care, organ donation and advance decision documents, Liu said.

The ministry also encourages people to attend the TORSC’s life and death education courses to better understand the importance of advance planning for hospice care, organ donation and end-of-life decisions, she said.

People should openly speak with family members about their thoughts on a dignified death, she added.

Animal companionship can also help ease pain and feelings of loneliness, and specially trained animals can provide emotional support and assist in hospice care, the TORSC said.

Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital’s Yunlin branch and Mackay Memorial Hospital have introduced therapy dogs to their hospice care units to provide comfort and calmness to patients and their family members, the TORSC said.

As Taiwan is on the course of becoming a super-aged society, the value and meaning of holistic care should be promoted, it said, adding that everyone has the right to pursue a peaceful and dignified death.

The TORSC on Saturday held an outdoor charity run event at Taipei’s Daan Forest Park, which more than 1,000 people attended.


title: Torrential rain expected this week, the CWA says

content_text:
The combined effect of the monsoon, the outer rim of Typhoon Fengshen and a low-pressure system is expected to bring significant rainfall this week to various parts of the nation, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

The heaviest rain is expected to occur today and tomorrow, with torrential rain expected in Keelung’s north coast, Yilan and the mountainous regions of Taipei and New Taipei City, the CWA said.

Rivers could rise rapidly, and residents should stay away from riverbanks and avoid going to the mountains or engaging in water activities, it said.

Motorists navigate a street in Taipei amid rain yesterday afternoon. Photo: CNA

Scattered showers are expected today in central and southern Taiwan, with heavy rain possible in mountainous areas, it said.

The CWA forecasts that Hualien could receive 200mm to 350mm of accumulated rainfall today and tomorrow. There are currently two barrier lakes in Hualien County at risk of overflowing.

As of 8am yesterday, Tropical Storm Fengshen’s center was 850km south of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, moving northwest toward the South China Sea at about 22kph, the CWA said.

The storm had a radius of 80km, with maximum sustained winds of 72kph and gusts reaching 101kph. Its center is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan.

The typhoon is expected to weaken and move away by Thursday, with moisture from a low-pressure system to the east affecting Taiwan, CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said.

Hualien might experience localized heavy rain, while the central and southern mountainous areas could see brief, scattered showers, he said, adding that in the northeast residents on Wednesday should be alert for rainfall reaching or exceeding torrential levels.

Rain is expected to ease on Friday and Saturday, but a new wave of northeast monsoon is expected to arrive on Sunday, he said.

Additional reporting by CNA


content_text:
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) have broadly agreed to form a coalition government, setting the stage for the country’s first female prime minister, Kyodo news agency reported yesterday.

LDP President Sanae Takaichi and JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura are set to sign an agreement sealing their alliance today, Kyodo said.

Calls to the LDP and Ishin headquarters to seek comment went unanswered outside business hours.

Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi, right, and Japan Innovation Party coleader Fumitake Fujita meet at the Japanese Diet Building in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: Reuters

JIP coleader Fumitake Fujita on Friday raised expectations for a deal, saying the two parties had made “big progress” in coalition talks.

JIP lawmakers are to vote for Takaichi in an election to choose the prime minister in parliament tomorrow, but the party does not plan to send ministers to Takaichi’s Cabinet, at least initially, Kyodo said.

That would fall short of the full-fledged alliance the LDP maintained with the Komeito party until the junior partner quit the coalition this month, raising concern over the stability of the forthcoming government.

Takaichi’s path to succeed outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had seemed all but certain after she won the presidency of the long-ruling LDP early this month. However, Komeito quit their 26-year coalition, setting off a flurry of negotiations with rival parties to select the next prime minister.

To get the JIP on board, the LDP offered to keep working toward banning donations from companies and other organizations, and exempting food items from Japan’s sales tax, Kyodo said.

The JIP has proposed eliminating the tax on food items for two years.

Takaichi, a fiscal dove, has called for higher spending and tax cuts to cushion consumers from rising inflation and has criticized the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates.

She favors revising Japan’s pacifist post-World War II constitution to recognize the role of its expanding military.

Takaichi is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japan’s war dead — including 30,304 Taiwanese soldiers — and is viewed by some Asian neighbors as a symbol of the nation’s past militarism.

title: Japan’s LDP, JIP agree to form coalition: Kyodo


content_text:
Islamabad, Kabul agree to ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Doha

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” at talks in Doha, after at least 10 Afghans were killed in Pakistani airstrikes that broke an earlier truce.

For more than a week, the South Asian neighbors have engaged in bloody border clashes — their worst conflict since the return of the Taliban government in 2021. A 48-hour truce briefly put a stop to the fighting, which has killed dozens of troops and civilians, until Friday’s airstrikes. After peace talks in Doha, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said early yesterday that “the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.”

TALKS TO CONTINUE

A man reads a newspaper reporting on the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, near the Afghan border in Chaman, Pakistan, yesterday. Photo: EPA

They also agreed to follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire, the Qatari foreign ministry added.

Pakistani Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif confirmed that a ceasefire agreement had been reached and said the two sides would meet again in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday.

“Terrorism on Pakistani soil conducted from Afghanistan will immediately stop. Both neighboring countries will respect each other’s sovereignty,” Asif posted on social media.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed the “signing of an agreement.”

“It was decided that both countries will not carry out any acts of hostility against each other,” he wrote on X yesterday. “Neither country will undertake any hostile actions against the other, nor will they support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan.”

The two countries’ defense ministers posted a picture on X shaking hands after the signing.

RADICAL VIOLENCE

Security issues lie at the heart of the clashes.

Since the Taliban returned to power, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic spike in militant attacks, mainly near its 2,600km border with Afghanistan.

Analysts say radical Muslim fighters have been emboldened by the neighboring insurgency’s success following the withdrawal of US forces in 2021.

Islamabad alleges that hostile groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, operate from “sanctuaries” in Afghanistan, a charge the Taliban government routinely denies.

The cross-border violence flared up on Oct. 11, days after explosions rocked Kabul during an unprecedented visit by Taliban-appointed Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi to India, Pakistan’s archrival.

The Taliban then launched a deadly offensive along parts of its southern border with Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to vow a strong response.

Ahead of the Doha talks, a senior Taliban official said that Pakistan had bombed three locations in Paktika province late on Friday, adding that Kabul would retaliate.

A hospital official in Paktika said that 10 civilians, including two children, were killed and 12 others wounded.

Three cricket players were among the dead.

Zabihullah wrote on X that their forces had been ordered to hold fire “to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team.”


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Thieves wielding power tools robbed the Louvre yesterday, taking some of France’s priceless crown jewels in a brazen, seven-minute heist carried out in broad daylight, officials and sources said.

Authorities recovered a 19th-century gem-encrusted crown -- damaged -- near the museum, but the culprits were still at large and the target of a manhunt.

The spectacular robbery, one of several to target French museums in recent months, forced the closure for the rest of the day of the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa.

A police car patrols in the courtyard of the closed Louvre museum after a robbery in Paris yesterday. Photo: AP

Armed soldiers patrolled around the famed glass pyramid entrance, while police teams were seen going inside. Evacuated visitors, tourists and passersby were kept at a distance behind police tape.

It was “like a Hollywood movie”, one American tourist, Talia Ocampo, told AFP.

It was “crazy” and “something we won’t forget -- we could not go to the Louvre because there was a robbery”, she said.

This photograph shows the crown of the Empress of the French Eugénie de Montijo displayed at Apollon’s Gallery on January 14, 2020 at the Louvre museum in Paris. Photo: AFP

The robbers used a powered, extendable ladder of the sort used to hoist furniture into buildings to get into the targeted gallery which houses the crown jewels, sources and officials said.

The crown of Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, was found broken near the museum afterwards, a source following the robbery said, asking to remain anonymous because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The crown, featuring golden eagles, is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, according to the museum’s website.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said three or four thieves had used the furniture hoist to steal “priceless” goods from two displays in the museum’s “Gallerie d’Apollon” (“Apollo’s Gallery”).

It was not immediately clear what other items were taken.

Pieces usually on display there also include three historical diamonds — the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia — as well as an emerald-and-diamond

necklace that Napoleon gave his wife Empress Marie Louise, it said.

The thieves arrived between 9:30 and 9:40 am), the source following the case said. The museum opened to the public at 9 am.

A separate police source said the robbers had drawn up on a scooter armed with angle grinders and used the hoist to get inside the Louvre.

A witness named Samir, who was riding a bicycle nearby at the time, told the TF1 news outlet that he saw two men “get on the hoist, break the window and enter... it took 30 seconds”.

He said he saw four of them subsequently leave, and he called the police.

The brazen robbery happened just 800 metres from Paris police headquarters.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said it had opened an investigation and the value of the hoard was still being estimated.

The Louvre said on X it closed its doors for the day for “exceptional reasons”. Management told AFP it wanted to “preserve traces and clues for the investigation”.

The Louvre used to be the seat of French kings until Louis XIV abandoned it for Versailles in the late 1600s.

It is the world’s most visited museum, last year welcoming nine million people to its extensive hallways and galleries.

Louis XIV commissioned the “Gallerie d’Apollon”, which later served as a model for the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. It was recovered months later and today sits behind security glass.

Several French museums have recently been targeted by thieves.

Last month, criminals used an angle grinder to break into Paris’s Natural History Museum, making off with gold samples worth 600,000 euros (US$700,000).

Thieves earlier in the month stole two dishes and a vase in Chinese porcelain classed as national treasures from a museum in the central city of Limoges, with the losses estimated at 6.5 million euros.

In November last year, four thieves stole snuffboxes and other precious artifacts from the Cognacq-Jay museum in Paris, breaking into a display case with axes and baseball bats.

French President Emmanuel Macron in January pledged the Louvre would be “redesigned, restored and enlarged” after its director voiced alarm about dire

conditions inside.

He said at the time he hoped that the works could help increase the annual number of visitors to 12 million.

title: Robbers steal French crown jewels from Louvre


content_text:
UNITY CONCERN:  If Cheng cannot align her policies with those local leaders and the KMT caucus, the party headquarters would become ‘a one-person show’   By Liu Wan-lin, Chen Yu-fu, and Fion Khan / Staff reporters, with staff writer

Newly elected Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) must push for deeper reforms and reduce or eliminate pro-China influence to effectively lead and work with lawmakers at all levels, media personality and influential KMT member Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) said yesterday.

Cheng — who on Saturday won the election with 65,122 votes, or 50.15 percent of the votes — is to succeed incumbent Eric Chu (朱立倫) on Saturday next week to serve a four-year term.

Her election has raised concerns within the KMT that her perceived “pro-China” stance could influence the party’s direction.

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Cheng Li-wun speaks to reporters after casting her vote in the party’s chairperson election in Taipei on Saturday. Cheng won the election. Photo: CNA

Speaking of potential leadership challenges Cheng might face, Jaw, the former chairman of Broadcasting Corp of China, said that if the party headquarters’ policies align with those of local lawmakers and the KMT legislative caucus, they can reinforce each other.

Otherwise, “everyone goes their separate ways, and the party headquarters would become merely a one-person show under the party chair,” he said.

In response, Cheng said that “a powerless party center” is impossible within the KMT.

She said she felt strong unity throughout the party during her campaign and sensed high expectations for its future.

She promised there would be no internal power struggles or drama within the party.

Instead, she would lead through teamwork and respect for local voices, she said, adding that she is confident that the party would meet members’ expectations and deliver strong results in next year’s local elections.

Meanwhile, the KMT headquarters said it yesterday received a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).

Xi, speaking as head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said in the message that the two parties should strengthen their “common political foundation, upholding the 1992 consensus and opposition to Taiwanese independence to promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, and strive to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

“The great rejuvenation of Zhonghua minzu [中華民族, Chinese nation] is unstoppable, and it is hoped the two parties will uphold their shared political foundation, unite the broader Taiwanese community, strengthen the pride, integrity and confidence of being Chinese, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and advance national unification,” it added.

The so-called “1992 consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese government that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.

Cheng, in her response to Xi, said that both sides of the Strait “verbally expressed adherence to the ‘one China’ principle,” adding that “on the shared political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan independence, the KMT and the CCP have promoted the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and achieved many historic accomplishments — no small feat.”

“Both sides of the Strait are descendants of emperors Yan and Huang (炎黃子孫) and belong to the Zhonghua minzu, and the two parties should, on the existing foundation, strengthen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and strive to bring the greatest benefit to people on both sides,” she said.

Hung Pu-chao (洪浦釗), deputy director of the Center for Mainland China and Regional Development Research at Tunghai University, said that if Cheng adopts a pro-China stance, it could heighten international scrutiny and lead Beijing to misjudge its ability to replicate such interference, potentially escalating infiltration efforts in Taiwan.

The KMT’s chairmanship election was shadowed by domestic and foreign suspicions of Chinese interference, while Cheng is seen as Beijing’s clearest dialogue partner within the KMT, Hung said.

Cheng’s win could trigger a split in the party’s political direction, but is also deepen public suspicion about the party’s autonomy, he said.

Her leadership would face a legitimacy challenge within the party, particularly from younger and mid-generation party members who advocate for “independent diplomacy” and “national defense,” he said.

She would have to convince them that the party can uphold Taiwan’s interests instead of becoming Beijing’s mouthpiece, he said.

Externally, her cross-strait discourse and interactions with China are going to face unprecedented scrutiny, he said.

The public would closely watch whether her source of information, flow of funds and rhetoric align with Beijing’s position, he said.

Additional reporting by Lin Hsin-han

people: 朱立倫 習近平 鄭麗文

title: Cheng must manage KMT stakeholders carefully: Jaw


title: TPP chair floats alliance with KMT’s Cheng

content_text:
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) yesterday congratulated former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on her election as KMT chairwoman, saying he had already begun discussing opportunities for deeper cooperation between the opposition parties.

Cheng on Saturday defeated five other candidates, including her main competitor, two-time Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌). She is set to begin her four year term on Saturday next week, when she succeeds Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫).

Speaking to reporters at an event in New Taipei City, Huang said he had called Cheng and the other KMT contenders after the election results were announced, and had wished her luck in her new role.

Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang speaks to reporters in New Taipei City yesterday. Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times

“As far as the TPP is concerned, [Taiwanese] society has been torn apart by President William Lai (賴清德),” Huang said. “We need to end the division and conflict.”

“The TPP is willing to work with maximum sincerity and goodwill to create a unity government, even if we do not always agree with or even like our partners,” he said.

Huang said that he spoke with former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Saturday night regarding the steps and timeframe for achieving a unity government.

Any such union would be based on shared values rather than just divvying up spots in government, Huang added.

An alliance between the two opposition parties was first floated in 2023 in the run-up to last year’s presidential election, when the TPP and KMT presidential candidates — Ko and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) — came under pressure to run on a joint ticket. Negotiations ultimately fell apart less than two months before the election, as neither candidate was willing to take the vice presidential slot.

However, the results of the election on Jan. 13 last year suggested that a joint ticket might have been successful, as Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won with 40.05 percent of the vote, followed by Hou with 33.49 percent and Ko with 26.46 percent.

Despite that failure, the KMT and TPP have joined forces in the legislature, where they hold a combined majority of the 113 seats.

Many of the candidates in the KMT leadership election, including Cheng, have said they support deepening ties between the opposition parties.

Regarding such cooperation in next year’s local elections, Huang on Saturday told reporters that that Cheng’s previous criticism of Ko and her insistence that the KMT must continue to hold the mayoral seat in New Taipei City would not present any obstacles to the TPP and KMT joining forces.

“For a mature politician, there is nothing that you cannot let go of for the sake of Taiwan and its people,” said Huang, who in August indicated that he plans to run for New Taipei City mayor next year.

“We turned the page on that [criticism of Ko] long ago,” he said.

In his remarks, Huang twice referenced coalition talks in Japan’s government by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, saying it was a “mature expression of democracy.”

people: 鄭麗文 黃國昌 賴清德 郝龍斌 柯文哲 侯友宜 朱立倫


title: Huang’s RTI request could threaten security: official

content_text:
REVEALING: While Huang said the information was not marked as classified, a security official said the data could form a comprehensive blueprint for sabotaging RTI   By Chen Yun, Chen Yu-fu and Fion Khan / Staff reporters, with staff writer

Documents Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has requested from Radio Taiwan International (RTI) constitute a potential threat to the security of critical national infrastructure, potentially providing comprehensive reference material for planning attacks, a security official said yesterday.

Information related to RTI’s broadcasting station in Yunlin County’s Baojhong Township (褒忠) is considered highly sensitive, said the official, who declined to be named.

The station is designated as a backup facility for the Executive Yuan to broadcast to the international community if RTI’s headquarters in Taipei is disabled during a conflict, they said, adding that due to its proximity to China and the coast, the station is one of the few RTI facilities guarded by the Second Special Police Corps.

The Mirror Daily Web site on Friday reported that Huang’s office in late August requested detailed content about the station’s relocation and consolidation plan, as well as copies of all its transmitting antenna licenses and operational data, including power consumption records, for its transmitters dating back to 2016.

His office made the request citing a Mirror Media report published four years ago that claimed the radio service misused subsidies and fire equipment, the new article said.

Huang’s request went significantly beyond what is needed for investigating irregularities or administrative review, the security official said.

An analysis by security agencies of the documents requested suggested the information constituted a potential threat to the security of critical national infrastructure, they said.

Access to electricity bills could reveal site locations, feeder line codes and power capacity, allowing inference of power line locations and broadcast signal scale, while temperature records could reveal operation times and frequencies, and antenna angles could pinpoint broadcast coverage and target areas.

Technical data such as voltage, current and power could expose equipment capabilities and operational status, they said, adding that such leaks could compromise the station’s security.

Vacuum tube operational hours could indicate system runtime and frequency, and staff duty logs could expose security personnel numbers, shift patterns and rotations, the official said.

The long-term and detailed operational details are unrelated to “procurement oversight” or “investigating irregularities,” and yet the data could form a comprehensive blueprint for anyone intending to sabotage critical infrastructure, they said.

Huang yesterday said that the documents provided by RTI were not marked as classified and that the agency never indicated the information was sensitive during the request process.

That the information was not classified showed that Mirror Daily’s report about him requesting classified information was “fake news” and a “malicious smear,” he said.

He said the media outlet was attempting to label him as pro-China.

“The degree of moral degeneration is heartbreaking,” he said.

National Cheng Kung University political science professor Hung Ching-fu (洪敬富) said that government agencies should maintain a clear boundary when responding to elected representatives’ data requests.

Laws such as the Anti-Infiltration Act (反滲透法) or National Security Act (國家安全法) should better define whether information on critical infrastructure can be provided for legislative inquiries and how to balance such requests with national security, he said, citing Beijing’s increasing infiltration and “united front” efforts.

National security is paramount, he said, data provision should come with strict confidentiality clauses.

Additional reporting by Liu Wan-lin


content_text:
The National Security Bureau (NSB) is enhancing protections for top government officials by bolstering its counter-drone capabilities and closely monitoring political extremists, a report submitted to lawmakers showed.

Security threats to the president, vice president, Cabinet members and other top officials are on the rise amid a complex, hazardous landscape and sophisticated uncrewed aerial vehicle technology, the bureau said in the report on how to improve security for the country’s top officials.

With the rapid development of technology, smaller multifunction drones are becoming available at a relatively low cost, the NSB said in the report submitted last week.

A security agent, right, holds a drone-jamming gun, while his colleague monitors the area during a Double Ten National Day celebration in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei on Oct. 10 last year. Photo: Taipei Times

Such drones are difficult to detect and, therefore, have become “a serious threat” to the safety of top-level officials and critical infrastructure in Taiwan, it said.

Small drones can be used to attack a target, collect intelligence and interfere with communications, it said.

To counter the growing threat, the NSB said it purchased new anti-drone guns and drone jammers to replace those that have been in use for years, with the aim of enhancing its countermeasure capabilities.

The report also said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to “infiltrate, spy on and offer bribes” to retired and current Taiwanese military personnel to gather intelligence.

The CCP also recruits individuals in Taiwan to stage protests and disrupt public events attended by the president or vice president, it said.

In response to the threats, the NSB said it would enhance information sharing among police and local intelligence agencies to counter CCP infiltration campaigns, cybercrime and large-scale protests, and would make timely adjustments to its deployment of security details.

The bureau said it would also create a database of political extremists and groups with violent tendencies.

In addition, it would work closely with local police and the online intelligence collection system to regulate and monitor the activities of such groups and individuals, to better protect Taiwan’s political leaders, it said.

The report is to be reviewed by lawmakers today during a session of the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee.

title: NSB boosting anti-drone systems and monitoring extremists


title: CIB warns public of delivery scams

content_text:
CAUTION NEEDED: The bureau advised people not to pick up items they are unsure of, verify all details and buy from reputable businesses to avoid getting scammed

Package delivery scams have become more prevalent, so people should double-check the details of the delivery and refuse to claim packages that seem suspicious, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said.

The bureau’s Crime Prevention Division cited law enforcement authorities last month as saying that online shopping-related fraud schemes were on the rise, with 3,625 people reporting that they had been tricked into paying for delivered items they did not order.

People have been receiving fraudulent e-mails, texts or messages on social media saying they had a package waiting at a local convenience store, bureau officials said.

Division chief Chuang Ming-hsiung (莊明雄) said a man surnamed Hsieh (謝) earlier this month told police he had received a text message saying that an item ordered online had been delivered to a convenience store in his neighborhood.

Hsieh was not sure if he had placed the order and thought that maybe a family member bought something online, so he went to the convenience store to pick up the item, for which he paid about NT$1,000, Chuang said.

Hsieh found a tube of sunscreen inside and asked his family if they had ordered it, but they said they did not, Chuang said, adding that when Hsieh realized he had fallen victim to a “package delivery scam,” he reported it to the police.

It is common in Taiwan to have online purchases delivered to a convenience store.

Package delivery scams are divided into two groups, he said.

“The first is fraudulent one-page ads promoting ‘discounts,’ ‘limited time offers,’ or ‘pay upon delivery’ for items,” Chuang said. “However, the items that arrive are of bad quality or are not as advertised.”

“The second type is a ‘ghost package,’ where a person is told a package had been sent to a convenience store near them,” he said. “Most people think a family member had purchased it, so they pay for it and pick it up, but they later find out nobody had ordered it.”

Many such scams have criminal organizations behind them, who pretend they are a foreign e-commerce business or are an online shopping site on social media, Chuang said, adding that they claim to work with legitimate customs brokers and delivery firms to deceive people.

The bureau advised people not to pick up items they did not order and verify all details before paying for them, to avoid getting scammed, adding that they should also double check the item invoice, price and fees, as well as the address and other details of the sender.

Even if one receives a message saying a package is waiting for them, they should not pick it up if they had not ordered anything or if they do not know who sent it, the bureau said.

It also advised people to choose businesses with a good reputation when shopping online.

“If the business only provides an e-mail, Line ID or a contact at a foreign country,” it is most likely a fraud operation, the bureau added.

People should keep the package and the delivery container, proof of payment, invoice and package slip, as convenience stores have a telephone number they could contact to file a complaint or report fraud, it said.

Officials also reminded the public that Taiwan has a seven-day return policy, so people can return the package to the store within that time frame without charge, and call the 165 anti-fraud hotline to report suspected fraud.


title: Taroko barrier lake stable: agency

content_text:
Water levels at the Swallow Grotto Trail (Yanzikou, 燕子口步道) barrier lake in Hualien County’s Taroko National Park have stabilized, with inflows and outflows in balance, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said yesterday.

Huang Chun-tse (黃群策), head of the agency’s Hualien Office, said the overflow from the lake remains steady and that the dam, composed mainly of marble and granite, is structurally stable.

Because of its composition, the dam is less likely to generate large amounts of sediment or mudflows, unlike the barrier lake that formed on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪), which overflowed catastrophically during a storm last month, he said.

A barrier lake near the Swallow Grotto Trail in Taroko National Park in Hualien County is pictured yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Hualien office

The new Swallow Grotto lake formed on Friday after a landslide in the upper reaches of the Liwu River (立霧溪), Huang said.

The water is flowing from the west entrance of the Jin Heng Tunnel through the east entrance, and over the Ludan Bridge (魯丹橋) into Ludan Creek (魯丹溪), then rejoining the Liwu River, he said.

Experts have been commissioned to plan a risk-reduction project to gradually shave the upper section of the dam to improve drainage, Huang added.

However, heavy rainfall brought by seasonal monsoon winds and Tropical Storm Fengshen made access difficult, and unstable roadbeds in the area pose safety risks, which have delayed the work, he said.

The Central Weather Administration said that the current weather system could bring heavy rain to northern Hualien, with up to 2.5cm expected in the Swallow Grotto area today and as much as 3.4cm tomorrow.

The agency urged the public to stay away from the lower reaches of the Liwu River and nearby waterways due to the risk of flash floods and landslides.


content_text:
Foreigners rank Taipei as best city on transportation ease, job opportunities

Foreigners in Taiwan ranked Taipei the most livable city in the nation, with transportation convenience and job opportunities cited as key factors, a survey released yesterday by the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan showed.

Ninety-six percent of foreigners in Taiwan consider Taipei the best place to live in the country, followed by Taoyuan at 65.3 percent and New Taipei City at 63.6 percent.

The main considerations were job opportunities, cited by 59.5 percent of the respondents, followed by transportation convenience (54.9 percent), education resources (41.0 percent), environment and scenery (37.0 percent), and tourism and cultural assets (32.9 percent), the poll showed.

A group of foreigners sit at a park in Taipei in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan

Taipei’s most attractive aspects were transportation convenience, cited by 81.4 percent of the respondents, followed by job opportunities (67.4 percent), cultural diversity (45.3 percent), education resources (26.2 percent) and language services (22.1 percent), it showed.

Forty-two percent of foreign nationals said they came to Taiwan for work, while 35.8 percent said they visited for tourism and 16.4 percent for study.

More than two-thirds said they had been in Taiwan for more than a year, which pointed to the country’s growing appeal as a long-stay destination, rather than just a short-term travel spot, the poll found.

Taipei’s strong performance reflects its mature infrastructure, multilingual environment and vibrant cultural scene, Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan chairman Ringo Lee (李奇嶽) said.

Foreigners gave high satisfaction ratings for Taiwan’s transportation, healthcare, education and social environment, with more than 90 percent describing their overall experience as “satisfactory” or “very satisfactory,” Lee said.

Further improvement of Taipei’s language services, its promotion of cross-cultural exchanges and an expansion of international education resources could help cement its position as one of the most livable cities in Asia for foreign nationals, he added.

The online survey was conducted from Sept. 16 to Oct. 2, collecting 519 responses from foreign nationals from China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea.


content_text:
WORRYING:  Sexual assault cases have been rising post-COVID-19, and in the first half of the year, 5,060 people have reported being sexually assaulted, the ministry said

The average number of foreign nationals who were sexual assaulted in Taiwan has started rising again, following a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said in a report released after foreigner was sexually assaulted in a Taipei Railway Station concourse on Oct. 9.

Department of Protective Services deputy head Kuo Tsai-jung (郭采榕) said about 120 foreign nationals reported cases of sexual assault in Taiwan annually during the pandemic, but with the post-COVID-19 increase in foreign visitors, the number rose to 169 last year.

Department data showed there were 9,230 reports of sexual assault last year, including 8,138 Taiwanese non-indigenous nationals, 715 indigenous nationals, 33 nationals from China, Hong Kong or Macau, 169 foreign nationals and 175 people with missing information.

Of the foreign nationals who reported being sexually assaulted last year, 11 were men, 157 were women and one was of unspecified gender.

Most of the victims, 49 people, were aged between 18 and 24, followed by people aged between 30 and 40 (43), those between 24 and 30 (37), and people aged between 40 and 50 (22).

Of those who were sexually assaulted last year, 25 were Indonesians, 22 were Filipinos, 21 were Vietnamese, three were Thais, one was Malaysian, and five were of other nationalities.

Thirty said they were at-home caregivers, 25 worked in manufacturing, three were domestic helpers, one was a residential facility caregiver, and 18 had other jobs.

In the first half of this year, 5,060 people reported being sexually assaulted, including 4,444 Taiwanese non-indigenous nationals, 409 indigenous nationals, 14 nationals of China, Hong Kong or Macau and 83 foreign nationals.

Kuo said the number of foreign nationals who were sexually assaulted in Taiwan had gone down during the pandemic — 129 people in 2021, 109 people in 2022 and 119 people in 2023 — but the number began increasing again last year, amid an increase in foreign visitors.

The ministry’s Sexual Images Processing Center has received a complaint regarding the video of a suspect assaulting a woman in a railway station, Kuo said, adding that it has asked social media platforms to remove those videos and related images.

If the companies do not remove such content within 24 hours after the local government gave the order, they would be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$600,000 (US$1,957 and US$19,573) per violation, and public access to the platform could be blocked, she said.

People who spread content regarding the assault without consent of the people involved could face up to five years imprisonment, Kuo said.

The department urges people not to download, reproduce, spread or share images or videos related to the case, she said, adding that people should also refrain from doxing or sharing the victim’s personal information.

National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsin (張榮興) on Thursday last week said the Railway Police Bureau, Taiwan Railway Corp and security guards have increased their patrol schedule at the railway station, increasing police visibility and watch points, to keep travelers safe.

Additional reporting by Lin Che-yuan

title: Sexual assault against foreigners rising: MOHW


content_text:
By Yang Mien-chieh and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer

The Ministry of Education has called on universities to pay closer attention to students’ mental health after a Chaoyang University of Technology student earlier this month died by suicide after reportedly being unable to pay tuition fees.

Taichung City Councilor Lee Tien-sheng (李天生) said that the student, a second-year surnamed Lee (李), intended to take time off school to serve in the army and make money to support his family, which was struggling financially.

When the student tried to apply for an academic break, the university said he had to register and pay one-third of the semester’s tuition fee, which was about NT$18,000, the councilor cited the student’s grandfather as saying.

The Ministry of Education in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times

The student reportedly killed himself the following day.

The university said Lee applied for time off on Sept. 30, after the semester had already begun, missing the Sept. 8 deadline for registration and Sept. 15 deadline to apply for a leave of absence without paying any fees.

Since he missed these deadlines, the university charged the fees according to the ministry’s regulations, it added.

The councilor said the student often missed classes in his first year, because he needed to work part-time and had previously applied for a reduced tuition.

The university should have been aware of the student’s financial situation and asked him if he needed assistance when he applied for a leave of absence, rather than just issuing a tuition bill, Lee Tien-sheng said.

The ministry said that although the student did not request financial assistance, university personnel still failed to properly understand the student’s situation, so his issues went unnoticed.

Department of Technological and Vocational Education Director Yang Hu-hui (楊玉惠) said that the university’s academic affairs office handles registration, while the student affairs office deals with students applying for reduced tuition.

If the student affairs office had informed the academic affairs office that Lee had applied for a reduction in fees last semester, the university could have taken the initiative to help, rather than just issuing a tuition bill, Yang said.

The university acknowledged that poor cross-departmental communication caused them to overlook the student’s situation.

The ministry urged the university to take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring and called on people not to harshly criticize university staff, Yang said.

Schools should continue to monitor students who apply for tuition reductions or financial aid, and pay close attention to those who might require assistance, she said.

Additional reporting by Chen Chien-chih

title: MOE calls for closer attention to mental health of students


content_text:
Actor Lien Binh Phat on Saturday became the first Vietnamese to win the Golden Bell Award for Best Leading Actor in a Television Series. He was also the first Vietnamese to be nominated since the awards — Taiwan’s equivalent of the Emmys — were established in 1965.

Lien, dressed in an ao dai, a traditional Vietnamese garment, said in his acceptance speech that he was grateful for the opportunity to act in Taiwan, adding that he hoped for an opportunity to return to Taiwan for other projects.

“I love Taiwan,” Lien said in Vietnamese. “Thank you for the kindness and gentleness shown to us.”

Actor Lien Binh Phat, left, and actress Cheryl Yang pose with their awards at the Golden Bell Awards at the Taipei Music Center on Saturday. Photo: Hu Shun-hsiang, Taipei Times

Lien won award for his portrayal of doctor Fan Wen-ning (范文寧) in the multilingual medical drama The Outlaw Doctor (化外之醫).

In the show, Fan is a licensed cosmetic surgeon in Vietnam who becomes an underground doctor in Taiwan, performing unlicensed procedures for migrant workers, to earn enough money to cover his injured mother’s mounting medical bills.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday released a statement celebrating what he said was diversity in Taiwan’s entertainment industry.

Actress Vicky Tseng, left, and actor Weber Yang pose with their awards at the Golden Bell Awards at the Taipei Music Center on Saturday. Photo: Hu Shun-hsiang, Taipei Times

Cho personally congratulated Lien for his win, saying that the actor had skillfully captured the struggles of a person trying to keep his dignity while fighting to survive in a foreign land.

In the show, Fan’s secret work brings him in contact with migrant worker agent Liu Tien- cheng (劉天誠), who is portrayed by Weber Yang (楊一展).

Yang took home the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series.

Meanwhile, the Netflix series Born for the Spotlight (影后), a drama about the unknown side of the entertainment industry, won the top prize at the Awards.

The drama, which highlights the good, the bad and the ugly of the entertainment industry, won Most Popular Drama Series, and Best Director, Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actress in a drama series.

The Best Leading Actress in a Television Series award went to Cheryl Yang (楊謹華), who dedicated her win to “all the hard-working actors and actresses who believe in themselves,” while Vicky Tseng (曾莞婷) took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for their performances in the drama. Director Yen Yi-wen (嚴藝文) won Best Television Director.

Black Tide Island (星空下的黑潮島嶼) led the trophy count with a near-sweep of all technical awards. It won Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Lighting, Best Art and Design, and Best Theme Song.

The Best Miniseries award went to Public Television Service’s period drama Three Tears in Borneo (聽海湧).

The series focuses on a group of young Taiwanese men who find themselves entangled in a brutal massacre after they are conscripted by the Japanese colonial government to serve in North Borneo to guard Allied prisoners of war during World War II.

title: Vietnamese wins Golden Bell’s best leading actor


content_text:
Taiwan has won the 2025 Panettone World Championship in northern Italy, with cheers erupting and Republic of China flags waving at the venue when the announcement was made Saturday.

The Panettone, a traditional Italian Christmas sweet bread and fruitcake known for its intricate preparation, was the centerpiece of the world championship held from Oct. 13 to 18 in Verona and Milan, attracting top bakers from around the globe.

The competition, which gathers master pastry chefs, is considered a top-tier international event for artisanal Panettone, showcasing the highest standards of craftsmanship, according to a Facebook post by Taiwan’s representative office in Italy.

Members of Team Taiwan hold up their trophy and display the Republic of China flag after winning the Panettone World Championship in an undated photograph. Photo: Screen grab from the Taipei Representative Office in Milan’s Facebook page

At this year’s event, the Taiwanese team not only won the overall championship title but also took first place in the “Classic Panettone” and “Chocolate Panettone” categories.

The team, coached by Giovanna Chen (陳詩絜), comprised three pastry chefs--Lai I-chun (賴怡君), Tsai Yueh-chun (蔡約群) and Yang Shih-chun (楊世均). They impressed judges and the audience alike with their mastery of natural yeast fermentation, refined flavors, and innovative ingredient combinations, becoming a highlight of the competition, according to the representative office.

Lin Tsan-nan (林讚南), head of Taiwan’s Milan office, attended the event along with several other overseas Taiwanese supporters, waving national flags and cheering for the team.

Lin also conveyed congratulatory messages from President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) in recognition of the team’s achievement.

people: 賴清德 蕭美琴

title: Taiwan wins Panettone World Championship in Italy


content_text:
Riders rescued after 40 minutes on stalled Ferris wheel in Taipei

The Ferris wheel at Miramar Entertainment Park in Taipei came to a halt yesterday afternoon with 30 people aboard, and they remained trapped for more than 40 minutes, rescue workers said.

The Taipei City Fire Department said it received a report at 2:31 pm about an apparent mechanical failure on the Ferris wheel in Zhongshan District (中山).

When firefighters arrived on the scene at Miramar Entertainment Park, they saw 30 people trapped in 10 gondolas on the Ferris wheel, the department said.

The Ferris wheel at Miramar Entertainment Park in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph Photo: Wang min-wei, Taipei Times

The firefighters rescued all of the riders — 11 men and 19 women — who had been stuck for 40 minutes on the Ferris wheel, the department said, adding that there were no reported injuries or illnesses.

The cause of the malfunction is still under investigation, it said.


content_text: Members of the Taiwan Migrant Workers Alliance hold a news conference outside the Ministry of Labor in Taipei yesterday, urging the ministry to penalize job brokers that charged some migrants more than NT$1 million (US$32,588) in job placement fees.

title: Workers’ rights


content_text: Newlyweds pose for a photo at this year’s group wedding ceremony held by the New Taipei City government yesterday, where 102 couples exchanged lifelong vows and tied the knot.

title: Joyous day


content_text:
RARE EARTHS:  The call between the US Treasury Secretary and his Chinese counterpart came as Washington sought to rally G7 partners in response to China’s export controls

China and the US on Saturday agreed to conduct another round of trade negotiations in the coming week, as the world’s two biggest economies seek to avoid another damaging tit-for-tat tariff battle.

Beijing last week announced sweeping controls on the critical rare earths industry, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation.

Trump had also threatened to cancel his expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in South Korea later this month on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, left, shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during a bilateral meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 10. Photo: EPA

In the latest indication of efforts to resolve their dispute, Chinese state media reported that Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (何立峰) and US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges” during a Saturday morning call, and that both sides agreed to hold a new round of trade talks “as soon as possible.”

On social media, Bessent described the call as “frank and detailed,” and said they would meet “in-person next week to continue our discussions.”

Bessent previously said China was seeking to harm the rest of the world by tightening restrictions on rare earths, which are critical to everything from smartphones to guided missiles.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also participated in the call, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said.

Hours before the call, Fox News released excerpts of an interview with Trump in which he said he would meet Xi at the APEC summit after all.

Trump told the outlet that the 100 percent tariff on goods from China was not sustainable.

“It’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is... They forced me to do that,” he said.

The high-level video call came as Washington worked to rally the G7 finance ministers in response to the latest Chinese export controls.

For now, the G7 ministers have agreed to coordinate a short-term response and diversify suppliers, the EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters in Washington.

Speaking after the grouping met this week, Dombrovskis said that the vast majority of rare earth supplies come from China, meaning that diversification could take years.

“We agreed, both bilaterally with the US and at the G7 level, to coordinate our approach,” he said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s fall meetings.

Countries would also exchange information on their contacts with Chinese counterparts as they work out short-term solutions, he added.

German Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil told journalists he hopes that Trump and Xi’s meeting can help to resolve much of the US-China trade conflict.

“We have made it clear within the G7 that we do not agree with China’s approach,” he added, referring to the group of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva also expressed hope on Friday for an agreement between the countries to cool tensions.

title: US and China agree to fresh trade talks


content_text:
MANUFACTURING: The US president has wielded tariffs to spur domestic production, but manufacturers rely on global supply chains to produce finished goods in the US

US President Donald Trump’s administration formally imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported medium and heavy-duty trucks and parts, as well as a 10 percent duty on buses, while extending a key tariff reprieve for US automakers.

Trump signed a proclamation on Friday, hitting trucks and buses with tariffs beginning on Nov. 1, senior administration officials said.

The directive also prolongs through 2030 a tariff discount that Trump already provided carmakers that produce and sell completed cars in the US, and sets in motion plans to apply the same offset for truck duties.

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Bloomberg

Truck imports that qualify for relief under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would be exempt from the charges, but not buses, the officials said.

The administration is also creating an additional carveout for companies that make engines for passenger vehicles as well as medium and heavy-duty trucks in the US, which would be patterned on the existing offset program for completed vehicles, but would not take effect immediately.

The decisions underscore Trump’s difficult balancing act as he seeks to reorient global trade flows and revive domestic manufacturing. Trump has broadly wielded tariffs to penalize imports and spur domestic production and jobs, but manufacturers rely on global supply chains to produce finished goods in the US, exposing even domestic production to Trump’s duties.

Some truckmakers fiercely lobbied for reductions, and other stakeholders warned about the potential for sweeping tariffs to cause higher vehicle costs, which could also ripple through the construction and shipping industries.

The USMCA exemption could potentially dull the impacts on Ram pickups made by Stellantis NV in Mexico, representing some of the about 245,000 medium and heavy-duty trucks imported to the US last year, US Department of Commerce data showed.

Under the auto-tariff relief measure, carmakers can claim an offset worth 3.75 percent of the value of their US-made vehicles, which is meant to help blunt the cost of 25 percent duties on imported parts and provide time for supply chains to be shifted to the country.

While Trump initially planned a two-year phaseout for the offset, he is now extending the initiative for five years, the officials said. The engine program is also intended to cover the same timeframe.

The concession is a win for companies, including Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co, which said that Trump’s trade policies advantaged some foreign competitors. That is particularly true for cars made in Japan, which are subject to lower 15 percent tariffs under an agreement the country struck with the US, rather than the 27.5 percent rate they were previously charged under Trump.

The car part and truck tariffs are part of an expanding pool of levies Trump is wielding against a range of consumer goods — from steel and copper to lumber and upholstered furniture.

title: Trump extends auto tariff relief


content_text:
France cannot afford to ignore the third credit-rating reduction in less than a year, French Minister of Finance Roland Lescure said.

“Three agencies have downgraded us and we can’t ignore this cloud,” he told Franceinfo on Saturday, speaking just hours after S&P lowered his country’s credit rating to “A+” from “AA” in an unscheduled move.

“Fundamentally, it’s an additional cloud to a weather forecast that was already pretty gray. It’s a call for lucidity and responsibility,” he said, adding that this is “a call to be serious.”

The national flag of France, left, a logo of the S&P Global Ratings agency, right, and an “A+” rating are pictured in Toulouse, France, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

The credit assessor’s move means France has lost its double-A rating at two of the three major credit firms in little more than a month, potentially forcing some funds with ultra-strict investment criteria to sell the country’s bonds.

The downgrade caps a week that saw French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu suspend President Emmanuel Macron’s flagship pension reform to stay in office, allowing him to survive a no-confidence motion.

`That brought some respite from a political crisis that came close to another government collapse and triggering snap elections. However, it is unclear what budget would emerge from a parliamentary debate where opposition lawmakers have more leverage to push back against spending cuts and tax increases.

“I’m not deciding the outcome of the match before it’s been played,” Lescure said. “This debate starts on Monday in committee and continues to the end of the year. It’s really up to us, and when I say ‘us’ it’s both the government and the parliament who need to convince observers — rating agencies and financial markets.”

France’s political and fiscal challenges since Macron called elections in June last year have triggered sell-offs of French assets, driving up the country’s borrowing costs. The French-German 10-year bond yield spread — a key measure of risk — rose more than 85 basis points over the past few weeks, from less than 50 before the snap vote.

The premium has narrowed to about 78 since Lecornu survived last week’s no-confidence votes.

“We have submitted a draft budget for 2026 that aims to accelerate the reduction of the deficit to 4.7 percent of gross domestic product, while we are at 5.4 percent this year,” Lescure said. “We are putting in place a budget that allows us to get there, but this budget must be passed in a vote.”

Next year’s fiscal shortfall is just a “first step,” he said. “The absolute objective is below 3 percent of GDP in 2029, and that will allow us to stabilize debt. Of course, that will require efforts, and that’s what S&P is telling us.”

title: Downgrade is a warning: Lescure


content_text:
Gasoline and diesel prices are to fall NT$0.5 and NT$0.8 per liter respectively this week, CPC Corp, Taiwan (台灣中油) and Formosa Petrochemical Corp (台塑石化) said yesterday, as global crude oil prices last week dropped for the third consecutive week.

Gasoline prices at CPC and Formosa stations are to fall to NT$26.5, NT$28 and NT$30 per liter for 92, 95 and 98-octane unleaded gasoline respectively, the companies said in separate statements.

Premium diesel is to cost NT$24.9 per liter at CPC stations and NT$24.7 at Formosa pumps, they added.

Following the latest adjustments, domestic gasoline and diesel prices have hit the lowest levels in three months after international crude oil prices continue to slide.

The companies said the market expected another sizeable supply increase from OPEC+ nations next month and a soft demand outlook to create a supply glut, keeping downward pressure on oil prices.

Additionally, a US Energy Information Administration report showed that US commercial crude oil stockpiles increased by a larger-than-expected 3.5 million barrels in the week ended on Oct. 10, which further weighed on market sentiment, the companies said.

Front-month Brent crude oil futures — the international oil benchmark — last week fell 2.3 percent to settle at US$61.29 per barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange, while West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures — the US oil gauge — declined 2.31 percent to close at US$57.54 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

title: Gasoline, diesel prices to fall NT$0.5 and NT$0.8


content_text:
Soaring gold prices led Indian buyers to choose coins and bars over jewelry during the Dhanteras festival on Saturday, fueled by hopes that the precious metal’s glittering rally would continue, industry officials said.

Dhanteras, which marks the start of the five-day Diwali festival of lights, is considered auspicious for buying gold and is one of the busiest gold-buying days in the world’s second-biggest consumer of the metal.

Gold sales during Dhanteras were 10 to 15 percent lower in volume terms compared with last year, but total value rose sharply due to higher prices, All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council chairman Rajesh Rokde said.

A saleswoman shows gold bangles to a customer on Dhanteras, considered an auspicious day to purchase gold, silver and utensils and the day that marks the beginning of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday. Photo: AP

“Gold jewellery demand took a hit with record-high prices, dropping nearly 30 percent from last year, but coins and bars were flying off the shelves,” India Bullion and Jewellers Association secretary Surendra Mehta said.

In India, buyers typically pay 10 to 20 percent of the gold price as manufacturing charges for jewelry, making it even more expensive than buying gold coins.

Local gold prices closed at 127,008 rupees (US$1,444) per 10 grams on Friday after hitting a record high of 132,294 rupees, marking an increase of more than 60 percent since last year’s Dhanteras. India’s NSE Nifty 50 share index has risen about 5 percent during the period.

Facing record price surges, the industry is offering healthy discounts on jewelry making to maintain strong gold-buying interest throughout the festive and upcoming wedding seasons, World Gold Council head for Indian operations Sachin Jain said.

Indian dealers were this week quoting a premium of up to US$25 per ounce over official domestic prices, inclusive of 6 percent import and 3 percent sales levies, the highest in more than a decade.

Meanwhile, demand for silver coins, bars and jewelry is strong this year, driven by the metal’s stellar price rally, PNG Jewellers Pvt Ltd chairman Saurabh Gadgil said. Investors believe silver could outperform gold, dealers said.

Higher returns from precious metals have been attracting strong inflows into physically backed gold and silver exchange-traded funds in recent months.

“With jewelry stores open till midnight and Dhanteras continuing into tomorrow afternoon, we expect buying momentum to carry forward,” Rokde said.

title: Record gold prices shift Indian demand toward coins


content_text: People relax on Nanwan Beach in the Kenting area of Pingtung County’s Hengchun Township yesterday. Once one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations, Kenting has seen visitor numbers steadily decline over the past decade. Government data show arrivals fell to a 41-year low of 2.14 million last year, affecting local businesses, including restaurants, shops, hotels and night market vendors.

title: Tourism slump


title: EDITORIAL: Cheng’s win to shake up KMT

content_text:
Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Saturday won the party’s chairperson election with 65,122 votes, or 50.15 percent of the votes, becoming the second woman in the seat and the first to have switched allegiance from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to the KMT.

Cheng, running for the top KMT position for the first time, had been termed a “dark horse,” while the biggest contender was former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), considered by many to represent the party’s establishment elite. Hau also has substantial experience in government and in the KMT.

Cheng joined the Wild Lily Student Movement in the 1990s, condemning the KMT and advocating for Taiwanese independence. She later entered politics as a DPP member, but left in 2002 before joining the KMT in 2005. She had been a legislator for two terms and Executive Yuan spokeswoman for more than a year, before becoming a TV political talk show host.

She helped drive the sleepy KMT chair race into an unexpected primetime showdown. Early on in the race, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), widely accepted as the most promising presidential candidate in 2028, was appointed by incumbent KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) to take over his post, but she refused, saying she needed to focus on Taichung. Meanwhile, Hau and his major backer media personality Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) claimed that China was interfering in the race and suggested that Cheng supported a smear campaign against Hau.

Cheng’s victory highlights a shift in the KMT’s mobilization of voters, from soliciting support through a tight network of local offices and party workers, to efficient use of traditional media and the Internet. It also underlined an undercurrent among noncore KMT members who demand reform of the party, and hope for it to take a stronger stance against the ruling DPP.

Cheng was not particularly close to the KMT’s central decisionmakers, nor did she have close connections with local factions. She has been characterized as an outspoken and incisive politician who is proficient in media and can attract public attention with clear, and sometimes controversial, narratives. She vowed to transform the KMT from “a gentle flock of sheep” to “a pack of belligerent wolves.” Her hatred for the DPP and her aim to “punish” it have become an emotional outlet for some KMT members, especially “deep blue” supporters who have been disillusioned with their party, which has lost the past three presidential elections.

The KMT has long claimed that it is the only party capable of communicating with Beijing, and that message was a focus of the chairperson campaigns. Hau called for maintaining reasonable national defense spending, while demanding that Beijing recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan) and promise not to take military action if Taiwan does not declare independence. However, Cheng advocated for cutting military spending, and said Taiwan would be neither a “troublemaker” nor a pawn in US-China relations. She also pledged to help Taiwanese proudly say “I am Chinese.” Her clear “pro-China” position and “wolf warrior-like” stance toward the DPP is sure to further generate confrontation with the ruling party.

Despite strong support from regular party members, Cheng faces the immediate challenge of bolstering the party’s central core and integrating local factions, with whom she is not familiar. She must also coordinate with the party’s legislative ally — the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) — in the upcoming local elections next year, and clarify speculations of Beijing’s support and allegations of Chinese interference.

She might also struggle to fundraise and craft the KMT’s cross-strait narrative to win not just KMT and TPP voters, but also neutral voters in the 2028 presidential election, where China is always a focus. She needs to do that while not contrasting with or limiting the policies of the KMT’s presidential candidate.

people: 鄭麗文 朱立倫 郝龍斌 盧秀燕


content_text:
Taipei stands as one of the safest capital cities the world. Taiwan has exceptionally low crime rates — lower than many European nations — and is one of Asia’s leading democracies, respected for its rule of law and commitment to human rights.

It is among the few Asian countries to have given legal effect to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant of Social Economic and Cultural Rights. Yet Taiwan continues to uphold the death penalty.

This year, the government has taken a number of regressive steps: Executions have resumed, proposals for harsher prison sentences have surfaced and sentences for life imprisonment without parole (LWOP) are under consideration. This shift is driven less by crime than by politics, and risks producing laws that are unjust, disproportionate and at odds with Taiwan’s democratic ideals and accords.

Last year, the Constitutional Court upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty. In doing so, the court missed a historic opportunity to end Taiwan’s use of the death penalty and align with the global trend toward abolition. The decision was profoundly disappointing. The court was presented with clear evidence that capital punishment neither protects society nor deters serious crime. Instead, it is arbitrary, discriminatory, and violates the right to life and the prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

While the court upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, it restricted its use: Capital punishment may apply only to the most serious homicides, defendants with mental illness are exempt, defendants must have legal representation at all stages, and death sentences must be unanimous at trial and appeal. Yet this created an uneasy and unworkable compromise — safeguarding due process and fundamental human rights of those facing execution while preserving the state’s power to execute citizens.

This contradiction was laid bare when 32-year-old Huang Lin-kai (黃麟凱) was executed on Jan. 16, just months after the ruling. His execution — carried out summarily with only a few hours’ notice and without proper review — defied the court’s instructions for the prosecutor general to re-examine all pending death sentences. Why Huang was singled out to be killed remains unexplained, except as an act of political opportunism.

What could have motivated the minister of justice to sign an execution warrant under such circumstances? One explanation might lie in dissatisfaction with the Constitutional Court’s judgement. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-led Legislative Yuan blocked judicial nominees seen as abolitionist and amended court procedures to limit constitutional rulings. The government then ordered Huang’s execution, signaling defiance of the court. In April, the Ministry of Justice revised the Regulations for Executing the Death Penalty (執行死刑規則) so that pending appeals no longer stay executions.

With the revision, an additional court ruling is required to halt an execution — an unnecessary, regressive and dangerous reform that clearly violates international minimum standards. These developments have stalled Taiwan’s earlier progress toward abolition and damaged its international reputation, for the death penalty has no place in a democracy that claims to uphold the rule of law. To endorse the death penalty is to endorse torture.

The same political motives underpin KMT’s proposal to add LWOP — a sentence that condemns a person to die in prison without any prospect of review or release — to Taiwan’s penal code while retaining the death penalty. To introduce LWOP alongside the death penalty would entrench a dual system of death sentences, giving the state the power to execute its citizens or to impose what has been described as “death by incarceration.”

Both sentences extinguish hope, deny the possibility of rehabilitation and have been recognized internationally as cruel, inhuman and degrading forms of punishment. Experience elsewhere shows how deeply problematic adopting LWOP sentences can be. In the US more than 56,000 people are serving LWOP, many elderly and infirm, with prisons turning into de facto geriatric wards.

Taiwan has already witnessed the despair such hopelessness breeds: In 2015, six people serving life sentences instigated a hostage crisis to protest against excessive sentences and the lack of any realistic prospect of release, before killing themselves. That incident points toward the urgent need for reform, not harsher life sentences.

By contrast, European countries and other jurisdictions have moved firmly in the opposite direction. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that life sentences must always be reducible, with a meaningful chance of being considered for release.

Constitutional courts in Belize, Germany, Italy and Zimbabwe and elsewhere have struck down LWOP as incompatible with the principle of human dignity, affirming that while life sentences might be indefinite, they must always preserve the possibility of rehabilitation, review and release — otherwise they amount to a death sentence by another name. To introduce LWOP would leave Taiwan isolated — out of step not only with international standards, but with the fairness, dignity and humanity that underpin its own democratic aspirations.

Taiwan is not without a path forward. Around the world, countries once committed to the death penalty have shown that change is possible. Policymakers, civil society, lawyers, academics and ordinary citizens have worked together to build systems that uphold justice and human dignity without resorting to irreversible penalties. Taiwan has a strong, vibrant community of advocates who continue to press for reform, often in the face of political headwinds.

The global trend is clear: states are moving away from the death penalty and LWOP, recognizing that justice cannot be built on punishments that extinguish all hope. By doing the same, Taiwan would align with international human rights standards and show that justice can protect society while still upholding dignity, fairness and the human capacity for change — strengthening its democracy and its standing in the global community.

Catherine Appleton is deputy chair of Penal Reform International and senior research fellow at the Centre for Research and Education in Security, Prisons and Forensic Psychiatry at St Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway. Saul Lehrfreund is co-executive director of The Death Penalty Project, visiting professor of law at the University of Reading and honorary professor at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol.

title: Death penalty has no place in Taiwan


content_text:
The “Sunflower movement,” whose members grew up during the administrations of former presidents Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), received a thorough education on Taiwanese identity, helping them develop a clear distinction between Taiwan and China in terms of national identity. Their attitude on relations with China is comparatively clear-cut and their political stance is often described as “natural independence.”

However, with the rise of social media and China’s political infiltration of Taiwan through mobile apps, Taiwanese younger than 18 are developing a misunderstanding of China. Many are even gradually losing their sense of vigilance toward the possibility of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-orchestrated military attack on Taiwan, believing such an event to be impossible.

A Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) report published last week featured interviews with Taiwanese teenagers and college students, whose views were quite unexpected. Young Taiwanese are no longer convinced that China poses a threat. Among those who use Douyin, a Chinese platform similar to TikTok, many believe that Taiwan’s political parties are to blame for cross-strait tensions.

The proportion of Douyin users with pro-China sentiments is significantly higher than those who do not use the app, according to the report. Their perception of China is completely different from the “natural independence” generation.

While some countries prohibit children from using social media sites such as TikTok, Taiwan — despite facing the most severe threat from China — has yet to ban minors from the platform. At the same time, many Taiwanese parents have a hands-off approach toward their children’s Internet and smartphone use, so long as the children behave and do not cause trouble.

As a result, many Taiwanese children have grown up immersed in Douyin’s short videos, forming what could be called a “Douyin generation.” Beyond the emotional and cognitive issues that creates, the more alarming problem is China’s deliberate plan to politically indoctrinate Taiwanese youth.

That campaign is cultivating a mindset that completely disregards the China threat, said the report, leading to troubling consequences, such as political views that increasingly align with Beijing’s narrative.

Narcotics are toxic, which is why they are prohibited, and drug trafficking and drug use are crimes, but Douyin remains unregulated. Numerous studies have shown the developmental harm Douyin inflicts on children and teenagers, not to mention China’s intentional and long-term political goals to infiltrate Taiwan’s next generation through social media. That has fostered unrealistic fantasies about China and eroded young people’s determination to safeguard national security.

If Douyin is not banned, Taiwan not only stands to lose its attitude of “natural independence” among young people, but the CCP might not even need to use military force to take the country. The next generation’s naive delusions about China might eventually push Taiwan’s democracy into the CCP’s authoritarian cage.

Chen Chi-nung is a political commentator.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen

people: 陳水扁 李登輝

title: The growing need for a Douyin ban


content_text:
Last month, a dispute over the use of priority seating erupted on the Taipei MRT, with an older woman demanding that a younger woman vacate a priority seat so that she could sit in it, striking her with a handbag. In response, the young woman forcefully kicked the older woman.

Public opinion is divided. Some said that yielding priority seats to others represents moral self-discipline and should not be understood as a mandatory, legal requirement. They might say that all eventually age and might someday need help, and that genuine compassion lies in the practice of inner discipline.

From seat-yielding on the MRT to those who volunteered with disaster relief in Hualien County, the maintenance of a civilized society relies on a selfless approach to others.

Others have expressed support for the young woman, and in some cases have brought up the older woman’s criminal history. The debate over the incident involves the definition and criteria for the use of priority seats, and issues such as how to protect the rights of the vulnerable and what are appropriate penalties.

However, a more critical problem lies in the growing generational tensions in Taiwan, which is closely linked to economic and political conflicts.

Rising housings costs have increased the pressure on young people wanting to rent or to own a home. Academic credentials have devalued after the educational reform, while the gap between education and employment has widened, leading to relatively low wages among many young people.

With hard work yielding little return, the younger generation is becoming increasingly discontented. Today, a growing sense of “relative deprivation” is widening the generation gap.

Politically, the confrontation among major parties is only making the situation worse. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) enjoys greater support from older generations with more social resources, and these generations tend to favor cross-strait exchanges more.

The Democratic Progressive Party enjoys greater support among the younger generation with a stronger identification with Taiwan. Due to the evolution of curricula, the different generations have been educated within different ideological contexts, leading to tensions between the different age groups. The partisan squabbles, indirectly involving the respective parties’ supporters, has further deepened the generational divide.

Young people might regard older adults as the establishment, a group with vested interests, leading to a sense of anger toward them.

In the incident in question, the young woman kicked out at the old woman, and many seem to applaud this, seeing her as a hero representing their anger, not taking into account that the misbehavior of a few older adults does not really represent the majority of that generation.

The altercation might well have been the result of poor communication, and it would be a mistake to jump to conclusions on either side, to support the young woman or unilaterally condemn the elderly woman. Instead, we should regard this as an opportunity to take a long look at the issue of generational tensions and consider what could be done to reduce them.

The true solution lies in listening and understanding one another among the generations, to prevent political manipulation from eroding human relations. Those in power must be aware and exercise self-restraint, so they can prevent the escalation of the generational tensions that exist, and work to rebuild mutual trust and respect in society.

Huang Rui-bin is a physician.

Translated by Eddy Chang

title: Economics and politics driving the age divide


title: EDITORIAL CARTOON

content_text:
Taiwan is rapidly accelerating toward becoming a “super-aged society” — moving at one of the fastest rates globally — with the proportion of elderly people in the population sharply rising. While the demographic shift of “fewer births than deaths” is no longer an anomaly, the nation’s legal framework and social customs appear stuck in the last century. Without adjustments, incidents like last month’s viral kicking incident on the Taipei MRT involving a 73-year-old woman would continue to proliferate, sowing seeds of generational distrust and conflict.The Senior Citizens Welfare Act (老人福利法), originally enacted in 1980 and revised multiple times, positions older

By TangChieh-lang 湯傑郎


content_text:
Whether Indians’ data are truly secure might not be certain, but the ID system’s benefits are easy for even skeptics to see: Millions of previously unserved people have been able to enter the formal financial system and poor Indians no longer struggle to access government-rationed food or cash transfers

Indian politicians like to claim that their governance innovations — particularly digital public infrastructure that is shared between the state and the private sector — are widely admired. They can even point to the occasional testimonial from the leader of another developing nation.

However, last week they bagged an unusual prize: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that India’s digital “unique ID” system, Aadhaar, was a “massive success,” and that he hoped to learn from it in rolling out the UK’s equivalent.

Starmer was visiting India and met with Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani — who is also the non-executive chairman of the information technology services giant Infosys Ltd. He hopefully spent some of that time asking how best to avoid political blowback when the program inevitably metastasizes into something much larger than planned.

When Aadhaar was first proposed almost two decades ago, it was meant to be strictly voluntary — an additional, light-weight form of identification for those who struggled to access government services. The British government has promised something similar: The card would only be mandatory for those about to start a new job to prove that they have a legal right to work.

However, of course, some Britons might want to use it for other things. It would be a convenient replacement for more complicated forms of identity verification.

As Starmer said: “I don’t know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that — drives me to frustration.”

Judging from India’s experience, British bureaucrats would be as willing to expand the use of digital ID. They would wind up redesigning the access to services around the presence of the ID — whether to save money, eliminate fraud or reduce wait times. First, you would need it for your taxes, then for your pension and then you would be encouraged to link it to your national health service account.

Every additional step will appear reasonable, defensible and incremental. However, it would end up with the ID being effectively mandatory. Today, it is virtually impossible to get anything done in India without an Aadhaar.

I held out on getting one for the longest possible time. It was only when the Indian Supreme Court in 2018 permitted the income tax department to require taxpayers to submit their ID numbers that I gave in.

The UK probably has more safeguards against such mission creep than India did. Our judges put the “right to dignity,” which they said universal ID enabled, over a right to privacy, and British judges might well disagree.

However, it is also true, in retrospect, that most of our worries about the Aadhaar were overdone. Indian officials over the past few years have faced multiple (unproven) accusations of snooping on their citizens — but none of these allegations involved the use of the digital ID system.

Whether our data are truly secure might not be certain. In 2023, there were reports that more than 800 million Aadhaar database entries were on sale in the untamed depths of the Internet. We braced ourselves for an epidemic of identity theft, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. While fraud using stolen Aadhaar numbers is indeed an ongoing problem, it is also a very small subset of the universe of terrifying scams that Indians have to navigate daily.

Meanwhile, the digital ID’s benefits are easy for even skeptics to see. Millions of previously unserved people have been able to enter the formal financial system — take out loans, save in specialized accounts and receive payments from far away.

Most importantly, many poor Indians no longer struggle to prove their identity to access government-rationed food or cash transfers. The middlemen who used to take a cut of these benefits in return for easier access are now reduced to helping them set up their Aadhaar accounts.

The private sector has taken to the digital ID system like a duck to water. Bank accounts can be opened in seconds. SIM cards for mobile phones, which once took days to organize in security-conscious India, could now be accessed almost instantly. I am still reluctant to hand out my Aadhaar number and use alternatives wherever possible. However, truthfully, that behavior is more reflexive than it is considered.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is quick to sense when his voters are happy. The Aadhaar project was started before he took office, but he quickly adopted it and has run on its benefits ever since. The fact that he regularly trumpets it as an achievement is perhaps the most significant indication of how popular it now is.

Starmer must be a little startled by how loud the opposition to an ID card is in the UK — all but two of the EU’s 27 countries have something similar. However, the chances are that, if he perseveres, Britons would get used to it. I certainly have.

Mihir Sharma is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, he is author of Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy.

title: India is the poster child for Starmer’s ID card plan