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While ASEAN’s consensus-based approach has so far preserved harmony, it is impeding action at a time when agility is badly needed

For decades, integration into the global trading system has been vital to economic growth and development. However, integration now implies vulnerability, as powerful actors — beginning with the US — wield tariffs, export restrictions and financial sanctions. For Southeast Asia, this turn of events represents a warning and a call to action: Countries must work together to shape their own destiny — or others could decide their fate for them.

As it stands, the 11-member ASEAN’s potential as an integrated production system and consumer market remains largely untapped. Internal trade accounts for less than one-quarter of ASEAN’s total trade — far below the roughly 60 percent in the EU and even the 45 percent in North America under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This lack of integration amounts to a major structural weakness, as investors continue to view Southeast Asia as a collection of individual markets, not a single economic bloc.

The costs of going it alone are mounting. As the world’s major powers weaponize trade and technology flows, and use industrial subsidies to distort the competitive landscape, smaller economies have few options for protecting their interests. Southeast Asian countries’ vulnerability has been on stark display during bilateral trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s administration, during which leaders have often had little choice but to make significant concessions.

However, Southeast Asian countries together constitute a formidable economic player. ASEAN boasts a combined GDP of about US$4 trillion — making it the world’s fifth-largest economy — and a population of more than 680 million. These countries must leverage their collective strength to build resilience.

In the short term, this means putting in place stronger shock absorbers, which can stabilize regional trade flows in times of disruption. To this end, rules of origin must be clearly defined and better enforced, transshipment loopholes must be closed, and trade-diversion safeguards must be coordinated across borders so that sanctions or export restrictions do not paralyze regional supply chains.

In the medium term, ASEAN must become more deeply integrated. Much of the machinery already exists. The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement focuses on facilitating the free flow of goods within the bloc, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership seeks to lower trade barriers and improve market access among the ASEAN countries and their five free-trade partners (Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea). The ASEAN Single Window streamlines customs processes by permitting electronic exchange of trade-related documents. The emerging ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) offers a roadmap for establishing an open, secure, competitive and inclusive regional digital economy.

However, implementation is lagging, and the full potential of these instruments is not being fulfilled. Commitments to upgrade the Trade in Goods Agreement, completing the DEFA, and harmonizing standards need to be followed by actions, so that ASEAN can encourage intraregional sourcing, enable companies to scale up more easily, reduce the cost of doing business, and make the region a far more credible hub for manufacturing and services investment.

The ASEAN Geoeconomics Report 2025 — presented last month at the first formal meeting of ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers in more than 20 years and set for publication this month — urges members to do precisely that. Crucially, it also proposes the creation of a high-level task force for geoeconomics, which would include economic and security officials. Institutionalizing this connection between economic and security pillars — domains that are vital to resilience — would enable the region to act quickly and speak with one voice when shocks occur.

ASEAN must also reform its decisionmaking framework. While the bloc’s consensus-based approach has so far preserved harmony, it is impeding action at a time when agility is badly needed. Moving toward a “consensus-minus-one” or qualified-majority approach in selected areas could advance progress without eroding unity. “Sandbox” pilots and “pathfinder” initiatives could do the same.

Deeper integration requires more robust institutions. Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat’s analytical and enforcement capacity would ensure that commitments are accompanied by timelines and mechanisms to ensure accountability.

Moreover, a good start to strengthening the private sector’s role in driving economic integration would be to implement the proposed “ASEAN business entity,” which would offer qualifying companies regulatory advantages and other incentives to support cross-border operations, such as freer labor mobility. Together with other reforms, such as simplification of rules of origin and harmonization of standards, this initiative would go a long way toward enabling firms to justify greater capital expenditure in the bloc.

ASEAN has weathered its share of storms — from the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s to the global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic — emerging each time with greater resilience and resolve. Yet its progress continues to be constrained by slow consensus-building, weak implementation, and national workarounds, keeping it in the role of rule-taker rather than a global rule-shaper. Only by embracing more agile decisionmaking frameworks, deepening internal integration and strengthening its institutions can ASEAN build balanced partnerships with powerhouses such as China, India, Japan and the US.

This is ASEAN’s biggest test yet, with sound economic policymaking serving effective strategic positioning in a world where power, production, and politics have become intertwined. If ASEAN’s leaders act with boldness and clarity now, they can set the stage for decades of stability, dynamism, autonomy and prosperity. If they hesitate, ASEAN might squander its opportunity to decide its own future.

Mari Elka Pangestu, special envoy on international trade to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, is a former Indonesian minister of trade and a former managing director at the World Bank. Tan Sri Rebecca Fatimah Sta Maria is a former secretary-general at the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the former executive director of the APEC Secretariat.

Copyright: Project Syndicate

title: ASEAN’s moment of truth


title: The big lie behind Donald Trump’s ‘drug’ boat strikes

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When announcing an aggressive policy, US President Donald Trump typically offers some grotesque justification — a nonsensical fiction that is supposed to stick in people’s minds as a rationale for violence. The more people swallow these lies now, the harder it would be to question future falsehoods, because that would challenge people’s view of themselves as intelligent beings.

This is the magic of the “big lie,” as Hitler explained in Mein Kampf: Tell a whopper so outrageous that people simply cannot believe it is untrue. Hitler’s biggest lie was to claim that an international Jewish conspiracy was the source of Germany’s woes — a scapegoat that could be blamed for any problem and absolve others of any responsibility. In 1939, Hitler and his propagandists spread blatant falsehoods about Poland as well — that it did not really exist as a state, and that it was the aggressor that had triggered World War II.

Trump’s big lies are almost too numerous to count. Perhaps the most versatile is that his policy focus is on curbing the illicit fentanyl trade. Early in his second term, Trump claimed that Canada attacked the US first by allowing fentanyl to flow freely across the border. Really, should it not become the US’ 51st state?

This complaint was a pretext for imposing tariffs on Canadian exports. However, when Trump lumps Canada and Mexico together, and claims that fentanyl is “pouring in” across the borders with both countries, he is lying. Last year, only about 0.2 percent of the fentanyl seized by US border authorities came from Canada, which was not even mentioned in the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Threat Assessment 2024.

However, in the past few months, the Trump administration has constructed an even more sinister geopolitical fantasy: Military strikes on small boats in international waters are necessary to deter drug smuggling. These attacks, which many experts view as patently illegal, have been clustered off the coast of Venezuela and have killed at least 61 people so far. Although it is widely recognized that the attacks would not stop the flow of fentanyl into the US, Trump has said that his government would continue “to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.”

The extrajudicial killing of alleged narcotics smugglers is less about drug trafficking and more about power projection — and maybe even regime change. Although videos of the bombings have become social media fodder, there is no evidence that the targets were drug traffickers. In fact, US Vice President J.D. Vance joked in September about killing innocent fishermen, saying that he “wouldn’t go fishing right now in that area of the world.”

Moreover, the Trump administration has reportedly authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela and deployed its most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea. This display of military power is intended to serve as political spectacle. The danger is that it could escalate into an unwinnable, open-ended conflict.

The tragedy is that the opioid crisis has been an essential element of the US experience for the past quarter-century. The US has the world’s highest rate of opioid deaths, owing largely to the profit-driven “healthcare” system that guides people toward pain medication, but does not incentivize the intensive, long-term care required to treat addiction.

The crisis began because of a money-making scheme by Purdue Pharma, the US pharmaceutical company that developed and aggressively marketed the popular opioid painkiller OxyContin. While OxyContin was responsible for the initial rise in overdose deaths, many users turned to heroin and now fentanyl — which is about 50 times more powerful than heroin — when they could no longer obtain a prescription for Purdue Pharma’s best-selling product.

The Americans living at the epicenters of the addiction crisis tend to vote Republican. Without their support, Trump would never have been elected. Trump and Vance are attuned to the opioid epidemic, in the sense that they see the wellspring of misery as a political resource that can be directed against an enemy of choice — whether an ally such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney or an adversary such as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, Vance recounts how his mother, a nurse with easy access to prescription drugs, was addicted to pharmaceuticals. However, his political messaging on immigration and security has spun a different story, with Vance blaming other countries — “the poison coming across our border” — for her travails. It follows that Americans must view their addictions as an attack from outside.

It is important to understand the psychology Trump and Vance are exploiting. Addicts tend to blame others for their condition. The rise of the far right in US politics has elevated this mindset to a national platform. The belief that someone else must be responsible for the country’s problems has come to inform foreign policy, with the Trump administration concocting ever more absurd stories, for example that each strike on a Venezuelan boat saves 25,000 American lives.

Lies work, because they shift blame. Holding other countries responsible for the opioid crisis is an attractive form of moral outsourcing for Americans. However, fiction on such a grand scale requires an entire alternative reality to be constructed around it. Trump and his administration are training the press and the US public to associate the boat strikes with stopping the flow of fentanyl and other drugs — a prime example of the falsehoods that imperialists tell before launching doomed wars of choice.

Wars begin with words, which implies that words must be taken seriously before conflict erupts. Only by calling out the big liars and telling the small truths can we have any hope of restraining Trump’s increasingly aggressive presidency.

Timothy Snyder, the inaugural chair in modern European history at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, is the author or editor of 20 books.

Copyright: Project Syndicate


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Have you and your relatives fought each other over ancestral homes and inheritance? I am raising an uncomfortable question, I know.

China’s billionaire families have certainly had their share of very public and very ugly spats — including the recent battle of “Wahaha princess” Zong Fuli (宗馥莉), also known as Kelly Zong, with her half-siblings for control of more than US$2 billion of cash held offshore. However, as Chinese society ages and the economy slows, the middle class is starting to argue over money as well, tearing apart long-held social norms such as family harmony and filial duty.

By 2023, China already had 217 million people aged 65 or older, or about 14 percent of the population. Over the next two decades, siblings and distant relatives would be tussling over family assets.

In some parts of China, retirees are the richest. An estimated 20 million former civil servants receive a monthly pension of more than 6,200 yuan (US$870), more than what most fresh college graduates are making. However, the bulk of their wealth is in real estate. For long-time residents in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, their homes — even dilapidated ones — probably have tripled in value in the past two decades.

On the other hand, Gen X and millennials are struggling. Agism is a huge issue in China. As tech companies downsize, mid-career professionals, even those as young as 35, are being hit the hardest. Some also worry that their teenagers are becoming “professional children,” returning home after college and taking gap years indefinitely. Some financial windfall would be nice.

Already, social perception is changing. According to the latest annual survey from Dajia Insurance Group, more than half of Chinese people doubt their children would care for them financially, and only 10 percent strongly agree with the traditional notion of filial piety. However, most retirees still crave close emotional connections with their families.

However, can relatives undergo intergenerational wealth transfers without hurting each other’s feelings? Unfortunately, splitting an elderly person’s wealth often means selling real-estate portfolios, and in some cases, deciding whether to move to a nursing home.

Chinese live longer these days. Participants in the Dajia survey on average expect to reach the age of 84, with 21 percent eyeing 90 and beyond.

Uncomfortable real-life situations are being played out in my hometown Shanghai, which has an acute aging issue — more than one-third of the population is older than 60. A friend complained recently that an aunt living with her grandparents believed she deserved the entire property, because she cared for them. As for me, I am emotionally attached to our ancestral home, resisting pressure from more cash-strapped relatives to offload into China’s prolonged property downturn.

There are much sadder tales. A childhood classmate got power of attorney from her mother — who has Alzheimer’s disease — sold her house and moved her to a community hospital. She is investing in her two teenage sons’ education instead.

I do wonder if this social tension can be lessened if China allows more financial products. In the US, for instance, an elderly person can take out a reverse mortgage that converts a portion of home equity into cash. Often, the loan does not need to be repaid until a maturity event, which typically occurs with outright sales or death. The retiree can still live at home, maintain a certain lifestyle, and gift some money to children in need. It is a graceful solution.

Chinese society is getting old before it gets rich. If the economy was still growing at 10 percent a year, an old apartment in the city center would not have the capacity to change family dynamics. Unfortunately, they are the most coveted assets now.

Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. A former investment banker, she was a markets reporter for Barron’s. She is a CFA charterholder. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

title: A great wealth transfer is happening in China


title: Liverpool take win; Mbappe struggles

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ANFIELD BLUES: Kylian Mbappe arrived at Anfield on a run of 21 goals in 17 games, but he managed just three attempts in the match, none of them hitting the target

Kylian Mbappe has been nearly unstoppable this season, but he hit a roadblock in their UEFA Champions League match at Anfield on Tuesday.

For the second year running, the Real Madrid forward had a night to forget at Merseyside as Liverpool won 1-0.

Mbappe looked a shadow of the player who has been tearing defenses apart all season.

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, center, left, scores during their UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

“We were lacking that threat in the final third,” said Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, without naming Mbappe individually.

The FIFA World Cup winner for France rarely looked capable of finding a breakthrough against a Liverpool team who have been so defensively fragile for much of the campaign.

Mbappe arrived at Anfield on a run of 21 goals in 17 games and having produced the kind of form that is likely to put him in contention to finally win the Ballon d’Or award, but he managed just three attempts throughout the match, with none of them hitting the target.

Vinicius Junior, too, was largely kept on the fringes of the action.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot said he had sharpened the focus of his players before the match by reminding them of goal contributions made by Mbappe and Vinicius this season.

“I told the players before the game they [Madrid] have scored 26 goals in La Liga, and Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius have 24 goal contributions together,” Slot said. “I don’t think you can ever control these two completely, but you can do a few things well.”


title: Van de Ven runs 90m for stunning solo goal

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With a mazy 90m run and a clinical finish, Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven on Tuesday might have already scored the goal of the season in their 4-0 win against Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League.

The defender collected the ball on the edge of his own area and set off on a dazzling run that saw him burst through two Copenhagen players, go round another near the halfway line, then surge into the area before curling a left-footed shot inside the near post.

The 64th-minute solo goal made it 3-0 to Tottenham and was Van de Ven’s sixth goal this season.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, left, and Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich vie for the ball during their UEFA Champions League match at Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Not bad for a centerback.

“To be honest, I saw a little gap in front of me, so I was like: ‘OK, I start dribbling now and see if they catch up,’” the Netherlands international said. “I saw the space every time, more and more, and I felt like I’m through now and I go for goal.”

“I just felt I could keep going and going. And I did,” he said.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven, right, celebrates scoring a goal during their UEFA Champions League match against Copenhagen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was fulsome with his praise.

“That could be goal of the season, definitely,” Frank said. “It was like Lionel Messi transformed into a centerback.”

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich won a blockbuster matchup, making it 16 straight victories in all competitions with a 2-1 win against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain to underline the German side’s status as perhaps the new leading force in European soccer.

Bayern oozed quality in the first half before showing resilience in the second half to hold on with 10 men at the Parc des Princes on a night of mixed fortunes for Luis Diaz.

The former Liverpool winger produced clinical finishes in the fourth and 32nd minutes to power the Bundesliga champions into a 2-0 lead, only to mar his display with a reckless lunge from behind on PSG rightback Achraf Hakimi in first-half stoppage-time.

Diaz was sent off after a video review and Hakimi hobbled out of the game with an injured left ankle.

PSG, who had already seen Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele come off hurt, reduced the deficit through substitute Joao Neves and Bayern endured some nervy moments before clinching yet another win.

Midway through the fourth round of league-stage games, only Bayern and Arsenal are on a maximum 12 points.

Arsenal swept to a 3-0 win against Slavia Prague, bringing 15-year-old Max Dowman off the bench to make him the youngest player in Champions League history.

It was quite the night for Arsenal in Prague. It was their eighth straight clean sheet, tying a 122-year record, and their fourth straight win.

Bukayo Saka converted a penalty and Mikel Merino added two second-half goals.

Arsenal are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League and have matched their best-ever streak for shutouts, which was recorded in 1903 when they were in the second tier of English soccer.

Dowman, aged 15 years and 308 days, entered as a second-half substitute for the Premier League leaders for his latest record-setting salvo.

Juventus are still waiting for their first win of the league stage after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Sporting in Luciano Spalletti’s first Champions League game since taking over as coach.

The former Italy and SSC Napoli coach watched the team’s poor start as Maximiliano Araujo fired in off the far post in the 12th minute.

Francisco Trincao struck the crossbar just afterward, leaving Spalletti with his arms outstretched on the sideline.

Dusan Vlahovic equalized in the 34th minute.

Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Marcos Llorente scored a goal each as Atletico Madrid defeated Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1 at home.

It was Atletico’s second win.

AS Monaco won 1-0 against Bodo/Glimt thanks to US international Folarin Balogun’s first-half strike, their first victory of the campaign.

Goals were expected, but none arrived in a 0-0 draw between Napoli and visiting Eintracht Frankfurt.

Napoli were coming off a 6-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago, but were without their most creative player in Kevin de Bruyne, who has undergone surgery on his right hamstring.

It marked an end to Frankfurt’s remarkable run of three 5-1 results in this season’s competition, with the German team having been on the receiving end of two of them.

In the night’s other match, US striker Ricardo Pepi scored in the third minute of stoppage-time for PSV to salvage a 1-1 draw against Olympiakos.


title: Croatian freediver sets breathtaking record

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For almost 30 minutes, Vitomir Maricic did not take a breath. Face down in a pool, surrounded by anxious onlookers, the Croatian freediver fought spasming pain to redefine what doctors thought was possible.

When he finally surfaced, he had smashed the previous Guinness World Record for the longest breath-hold underwater by nearly five minutes.

However, even with the help of pure oxygen before the attempt, it had pushed him to the limit.

Freediver Vitomir Maricic speaks to a reporter at a pool in Rijeka, Croatia, on Oct. 4. Photo: AFP

“Everything was difficult, just overwhelming,” Maricic, 40, told reporters, reflecting on the record-breaking day on June 14. “When I dive, I completely disconnect from everything, as if I’m not even there. This time, I struggled mentally and halfway through I thought about quitting.”

Before the record dive, Maricic inhaled pure oxygen deeply for 10 minutes to prepare his body to go so long without fresh air, saturating his blood with oxygen.

His doctor watched on with trepidation and uncertainty as Maricic struggled toward the record in a small pool inside a hotel in Croatia’s northern coastal town of Opatija.

“It’s something completely unknown to modern medicine,” pulmonologist Igor Barkovic said, an expert in hyperbaric and maritime medicine.

Maricic’s record of 29 minutes, 3 seconds without oxygen could open up new possibilities, Barkovic said.

“It opens up new perspectives and perhaps even possibilities we could one day apply to help patients,” he said.

Despite his body convulsing in hundreds of contractions during the almost unbearable pain, Maricic said he recovered with no long-term effects.

Brief intestinal bleeding and a massive headache soon passed, and he is already eyeing up another record.

Russia’s Alexey Molchanov holds the record for the deepest free dive with a variable weight, descending 156m with the weight before returning to the surface without it.

Maricic is aiming to beat that within two years, pushing to reach 160m.

However, even for the seasoned diving instructor, it will take exceptional fitness and preparation to withstand the intense pressure of such a dive without oxygen.

“Whenever I think that I’ve got all the answers and pushed my body to the maximum limit, a new window of opportunity opens and new questions rise,” he said from a pool in the Croatian port city of Rijeka.

Maricic heads the Croatian branch of AIDA — one of the two international bodies that govern freediving.

Reflecting the sport’s fierce rivalry, the other governing body once accused him of misconduct.

The Croatian, who has never failed a doping test, has denied any wrongdoing.

Growing up on Croatia’s coast, Maricic became passionate about the sport early in his life, diving in the Adriatic Sea from as young as three.

A devotee to high-performance sports, he began competitive freediving just nine years ago.

“The very act of going underwater triggers a series of physiological processes that pull you straight into a zone,” he said. “Even on the first day of a beginner’s course, the mind has no choice but to narrow its attention to one thing — where you are and what are you doing.”

He has racked up numerous top international rankings and national records for his diving prowess.

However, his time deep in the sea has also made him a witness to the “horrific” changes in the Adriatic of his childhood and a vocal advocate for ocean protection.

“If we don’t protect the living organisms and if we don’t raise awareness about that ... we’re not looking at a bright future,” said Maricic, who is also an ambassador for marine conservation group Sea Shepherd. “We’re not talking about 50 years, 100 years. We’re talking about changes that can happen in the next 10 years.”


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Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions slugger Lin An-ko, the only Taiwanese player among the three finalists for the CPBL’s regular-season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for this year, has exercised his overseas free agency option.

The league announced Lin’s decision on Monday, making him the second CPBL player this off-season to explore opportunities with overseas teams — mainly in Japan and the US — while still under contract with the Lions.

Lin, 28, signed a three-year, NT$21.6 million (US$697,810) deal with the Uni-Lions earlier this year. Under CPBL regulations, he remains eligible to request a posting after this season, having played for the team for at least three full seasons.

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions slugger Lin An-ko rounds the bases after hitting a home run in their CPBL playoff game against the Rakuten Monkeys at Taoyuan Baseball Stadium on Oct. 11. Photo: CNA

Uni-Lions general manager Su Tai-an told reporters that the team had offered Lin an early contract renewal during their meeting on Monday morning, but Lin was determined to pursue an overseas opportunity and submitted his application later that day.

Although Lin is still under contract, Su said that the agreement was made under mutual understanding and the franchise respected Lin’s determination to chase his dream.

The team would assist Lin in related procedures and wished him luck, he said.

Lin joined the Uni-Lions as the fourth overall pick in the 2019 mid-season draft. In his first full season in 2020, he smashed 32 home runs to earn the Rookie of the Year award.

He batted a career-best .318 over 90 games this season and hit his 100th CPBL home run in a game against the Fubon Guardians in Tainan on June 28.

Clubs from Nippon Professional Baseball have expressed interest in Lin, local media reported.

Should he move abroad, the Uni-Lions would lose a key domestic talent for the second consecutive off-season, following the departure of fireballer Gu Lin Ruei-yang last year.

Lin is vying for the CPBL regular season MVP with CTBC Brothers ace Nivaldo Rodriguez and Rakuten Monkeys pitcher Pedro Fernandez, who was named this years Taiwan Series MVP.

The league was to announce the winner at its annual award ceremony after press time last night.

title: Lions’ Lin An-ko seeks opportunities overseas


title: US shutdown becomes longest on record

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LABOR WOES:  The US transportation secretary predicted chaos in the skies if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck, while thousands of workers have been furloughed

The government shutdown yesterday entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

US President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government.

Skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food aid, despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

Central Texas Food Bank volunteers load groceries into cars at a food distribution site in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, amid a US federal government shutdown. Photo: AP

Trump, whose first term at the White House set the previous government shutdown record, was early yesterday set to meet with Republican senators for breakfast, but no talks have been scheduled with the Democrats.

“Why is this happening? We’re in a shutdown because our colleagues are unwilling to come to the table to talk about one simple thing: healthcare premiums,” US Senator Amy Klobuchar said in a late evening speech.

“Stop this mess, come to the table, negotiate it,” she said.

With Trump largely on the sidelines, talks have intensified among a loose coalition of centrist senators trying to negotiate an end to the stalemate. Expectations are high that the logjam would break once election results were fully tallied in Tuesday’s off-year races that were widely watched as a gauge of voter sentiment over Trump’s second term in the White House. Democrats swept key contests for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, and New York City mayor, certain to shake up the political assessments.

However, earlier in the afternoon, US Senate Democrats left an hours-long private meeting stone-faced, with no certain path forward.

“We’re exploring all the options,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said afterward.

Trump’s approach to this shutdown stands in marked contrast to his first term, when the government was partially closed for 35 days over his demands for funds to build the US-Mexico border wall. At that time, he met publicly and negotiated with congressional leaders, but unable to secure the funds, he relented in 2019.

This time, it is not just Trump declining to engage in talks. The congressional leaders are at a standoff and US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home in September after they approved their own funding bill, refusing further negotiations.

In the meantime, food aid, childcare funds and countless other government services are being severely interrupted, while hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or expected to come to work without pay.

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy predicted there could be chaos in the skies next week if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck.

US Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this has been not only the longest shutdown, but also “the most severe shutdown on record.”

The Republican leader has urged the Democrats to accept his overtures to vote on the healthcare issue and keep negotiating a solution once the government reopens, arguing that no one wins politically from the standoff.

“Shutdowns are stupid,” Thune said.


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LIKE A BOMB: Families of those who worked at or near the crash site were seeking any information about their loved ones, as officials warned the death toll could rise

A UPS cargo plane on Tuesday crashed and exploded in a massive fireball while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

The plane crashed about 5:15pm as it was departing from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also showed portions of a shredded roof next to the end of the runway.

Smoke rises from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash near the UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

The death toll had risen to at least seven on Tuesday night, and four of those killed were not on the plane, officials said.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he expected the death toll to increase.

Eleven people were also hurt, some of whom had “very significant” injuries, he said.

“Anybody who has seen the images, the video, knows how violent this crash is,” he said.

Beshear said he did not know the status of the three crew members aboard the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 made in 1991.

UPS’ largest package handling facility is in Louisville and the company on Tuesday night announced it had halted package sorting at the center and did not say when it would resume.

The hub employs thousands of workers, has 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.

“We all know somebody who works at UPS,” Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said. “And they’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Sadly, some of those texts are probably going to go unanswered.”

The airport was shut down and was not expected to resume operations until yesterday morning.

The governor said a business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, appeared to be “hit pretty directly,” and a nearby auto parts operation was also affected.

Eric Richardson stood outside a police training academy where people gathered looking for information about missing loved ones on Tuesday night, hoping to find out what had happened to his girlfriend.

She had been at a metal recycling business near the explosion and was not answering her phone, he said, adding that her phone’s live location said she was still there.

Bobby Whelan, Richardson’s friend, had been in front of her in line, but had left minutes before the explosion.

He said that he was about a quarter mile down the road when he heard what sounded like a bomb exploding.

“We don’t even want to think about anything but the best,” Whelan said. “All our friends were there.”

title: Cargo plane crashes in Kentucky, leaving 7 dead


title: China’s Shenzhou-20 return delayed due to debris impact

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China’s Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft has delayed its return mission to Earth after the vessel was possibly hit by tiny bits of space debris, the country’s human spaceflight agency said yesterday, an unusual situation that could disrupt the operation of the country’s space station Tiangong.

An impact analysis and risk assessment are underway, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement, without providing a new schedule for the return mission, which was originally set to land in northern China yesterday.

The delay highlights the danger to space travel posed by increasing amounts of debris, such as discarded launch vehicles or vessel parts that float around in space hundreds of miles above the Earth, risking collisions with countries’ active assets.

A Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft blasts off to China’s Tiangong space station from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, near Jiuquan, China, on Friday last week. Photo: Reuters

The Shenzhou program takes trios of Chinese astronauts to and from Tiangong for six-month stays where they perform tasks such as repairing damage to the station caused by debris impact.

The Shenzhou-19 crew’s return mission in April was delayed by one day due to weather conditions at the landing site, but this is the first time that a return mission has been delayed by space debris.

The CMSA did not say whether Shenzhou-20 was hit by debris mid-flight or while it was still aboard Tiangong, where the Shenzhou-21 is also docked after arriving last week. The crews of both vessels are in a handover period of several days. The statement did not mention Tiangong or Shenzhou-21.

According to well-established protocols, if the damage to Shenzhou-20 cannot be repaired aboard Tiangong, Shenzhou-21 would be used to transport the previous crew back to Earth. In the event both vessels are damaged beyond repair, a backup Shenzhou spacecraft would be sent from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

A backup Long March-2F rocket and Shenzhou spacecraft are always on standby at the launch center in the event of an in-orbit emergency.


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India’s poorest state Bihar goes to the polls today, and for many of its 130 million people, one issue overshadows all others: money.

That is what Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopes to capitalize on, wooing voters with economic incentives in a bid to win full control.

A BJP victory in Bihar could boost its momentum in opposition-held states, such as neighboring West Bengal, as well as Tamil Nadu in the south, analysts said.

Commuters watch a road show of Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj party, along a street in Muzaffarpur, India, on Friday last week, ahead of assembly elections in Bihar state. Photo: AFP

“This is the election which will decide whether the BJP can form a government on its own,” said Pushpendra, a political analyst who uses only one name.

A BJP win could “energize” the party elsewhere, he said.

Hindu-majority Bihar, the country’s third most populous state, is a bellwether battleground, but remains the only state in the Hindi-speaking north where Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has never ruled alone.

For housewife Rajkumari Devi, feeding her three children depends on the daily wage her husband earns as a laborer in the Muzaffarpur district.

He takes home about 400 to 500 rupees (US$4.51 to US$5.64) on the days he finds work.

“There have been times when he has not had work for days — so we stretch the little money we have,” the 28-year-old said, outside her modest one-room home overlooking agricultural land. “There is unemployment everywhere.”

Bihar ranks worst in India on poverty indicators, according to the government’s NITI Aayog policy think tank, with a GDP per capita of 52,379 rupees, just ahead of a country such as the Central African Republic.

In September, Modi announced US$8 billion in investment projects, including rail and road upgrades, new agricultural schemes and an airport terminal.

He also unveiled an US$844 million initiative to support female entrepreneurs, offering 7.5 million women cash transfers of 10,000 rupees each.

The BJP, allied with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), faces a stiff challenge from the opposition.

At a rally in the state capital, Patna, on Sunday, Modi urged voters to “bless the NDA.”

The election would be held in two phases, today and Tuesday next week. Results are due on Friday next week.

The BJP’s main rival is an opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress Party.

Former BJP poll strategist Prashant Kishor has launched a party, Jan Suraaj, or “People’s Good Governance.”

Supporters draped him in marigold garlands as he paraded through the crowd.

“You only run or walk after a fall,” said supporter Mudassir, a 25-year-old student who goes by one name. “It’s alright if he doesn’t win big this time.”

Pushpendra said the result will hinge on which party voters believe will help their future, adding that to be “Bihari” has become a byword for “jobless people.”

Vikash Kumar, 30, left Bihar a decade ago seeking work in other states, but still struggles to earn a steady income.

“If companies could be established here, people here wouldn’t die of hunger,” the laborer said. “They will earn money, sit at home, live comfortably and eat their meals.”

title: Modi readies bellwether poll in poorest state


title: Former US vice president Dick Cheney dies aged 84

content_text:
Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq, has died at 84.

Cheney died on Monday due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said on Tuesday.

The quietly forceful Cheney led the armed forces as US secretary of defense during the Persian Gulf War under then-US president George H.W. Bush before returning to public life as vice president under Bush’s son, George W. Bush.

Then-US vice president Dick Cheney speaks at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington on Nov. 17, 2006. Photo: AFP

Cheney was, in effect, the chief operating officer of the younger Bush’s presidency, while living with decades of heart disease and, post-administration, a heart transplant.

Cheney consistently defended the extraordinary tools of surveillance, detention and inquisition employed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

“History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation — a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held,” George W. Bush said.

Cheney later became a target of US President Donald Trump, especially after his daughter Liz Cheney became the leading Republican critic and examiner of Trump’s attempts to stay in power after his 2020 election defeat and his actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Trump said nothing about Dick Cheney publicly in the hours after his death was disclosed. The White House lowered flags to half-staff in remembrance of him, but without the usual announcement or proclamation praising the deceased.

Dick Cheney last year said he was voting for Democrat Kamala Harris for president against Trump.

For all his conservatism, Cheney was privately and publicly supportive of his daughter Mary Cheney after she came out as gay, years before same-sex marriage was broadly supported.

“Freedom means freedom for everyone,” he said.


title: Japan dispatches soldiers to help combat bear attacks

content_text:
Japan’s military yesterday deployed troops to the country’s mountainous north to help trap bears after an urgent request from local authorities struggling to cope with a wave of attacks.

The operation began in the town of Kazuno, where residents for weeks have been told to avoid the thick forests that surround it, stay home after dark and carry bells to deter bears that might forage near their homes for food.

There have been more than 100 bear attacks, with a record 12 people killed across Japan in the year since April, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment said.

Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel unload a bear cage in Akita, Japan, on Thursday last week. Photo: JSDF Akita Camp via AP

Two-thirds of the deaths were in Akita Prefecture, where Kazuno is located, and nearby Iwate.

“The townspeople feel the danger every day,” Kazuno Mayor Shinji Sasamoto said after meeting 15 or so soldiers who rolled into town in an army truck and several jeeps, equipped with body armor and large maps.

“It has affected how people live their lives forcing them to stop going out or cancel events,” Sasamoto said.

The troops would help transport, set and inspect the box traps used to capture the bears, but they are culled by trained hunters with weapons more suited to that purpose.

Authorities in Akita said bear sightings have risen sixfold this year to more than 8,000, prompting the prefecture’s governor last week to request help from Japan Self-Defense Forces.

After Kazuno, a town of about 30,000 people known for its hot springs, dramatic landscapes and sweet apples, the soldiers would head to the cities of Odate and Kitaakita under an agreement due to last until the end of the month.

Rising bear numbers, climate change-driven shifts in natural food sources and depopulation of rural areas are increasingly bringing people into contact with bears in Japan. An aging band of hunters that authorities once relied on are overwhelmed.

In the past few weeks, bears have attacked customers inside a supermarket, jumped a tourist waiting at a bus stop near a UNESCO World Heritage site and mutilated a worker at a hot spring resort. Some schools have had to temporarily close after bears were spotted wandering in and around their grounds.


content_text:
NEW ZEALAND

‘Bird of Year’ attacks walkers

People are being warned to steer clear of the nation’s “Bird of the Year” — the karearea — after reports the fast-flying falcon is dive-bombing pedestrians who veer too close to their nests. During nesting season, the birds become incredibly territorial and protective, which some people have discovered the hard way. A photographer in Hanmer Springs reported online being swooped upon last month, while the Hutt City Council last week warned people to avoid a trail where a karearea was spotted. Wellingtonian Dianna Thomson told broadcaster RNZ she was on a bush walk with her son when they encountered a karearea. “This karearea swooped over my head, like really close,” she said, adding that it gave her a new respect for the bird. “It was pretty cool really... It’s good to know our place in the world, isn’t it?”

EUROPEAN UNION

Last-ditch climate deal struck

The EU’s 27 member states yesterday struck a deal on the bloc’s next big emissions-cutting targets, after making overnight concessions to win over reluctant capitals in time for the UN’s COP30 summit in Brazil next week. In marathon negotiations that ran most of the night, the bloc finally agreed to target a 90 percent cut in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, but countries would be allowed to count international carbon credits toward up to 10 percent of that goal.

UGANDA

Security forces kill ‘herbalist’

Authorities late on Tuesday said that security forces had killed a “traditional herbalist” who reportedly led a coordinated attack on police and military bases over the weekend. The attack, which killed at least one civilian and a soldier, began on Saturday and targeted three districts in Uganda’s remote western regions along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the army said. The attack was led by a man named Christian Asuman Muganzi, a “traditional herbalist,” said Albert Kaliruga, deputy head of security for the region. “He was using his shrine at Kakuka to indoctrinate and recruit people to join his criminal group,” he said, adding that authorities “recovered traditional herbs, fetishes and other items he has been using to indoctrinate his recruits and apparently to protect them during battles.”

UNITED STATES

Court upholds Florida law

A US appeals court on Tuesday cleared the way for Florida to enforce a law restricting real estate and land purchases by Chinese citizens, rejecting claims it violates federal law and discriminates against Asians. The 2-1 ruling by the Atlanta-based 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals could encourage other states to adopt so-called alien land laws, which were once common, but fell out of favor a century ago. Lawmakers in more than 30 states have passed or introduced bills restricting foreign property ownership. The 11th Circuit said that four Chinese citizens represented by the American Civil Liberties Union lacked legal standing to sue over Florida’s 2023 law because it only applies to people “domiciled” in China, and they have lived in Florida for years. The law prohibits individuals who are “domiciled” in China and are not US citizens or green card holders from purchasing real estate or land in Florida. It allows non-tourist visa holders and asylum recipients to purchase a single residential property as big as 0.8 hectares that is at least 8km from any military installation.

title: World News Quick Take


title: Notes from Central Taiwan: Willing to fight for the homeland

content_text:
Don’t believe the cherry-picked data by media outlets like the SCMP, Taiwanese are increasingly willing to defend their country

“Taiwanese increasingly reluctant to give their lives to defend the island,” trumpeted a South China Morning Post (SCMP) headline last week. The survey asked whether people should be prepared to pay any price — including death — to protect Taiwan and prevent “reunification.”

“The poll found that 52.2 percent of those questioned were unwilling to do so — an 8.4-point rise compared with a similar survey carried out two years ago — while 40.8 percent were willing, down four points on the previous survey,” the article said.

Treated as anti-Taiwan propaganda, the piece was sent around by the usual pro-China suspects on social media. “See!” they cried, “things are changing!” That was actually true. As veteran Taiwan military analyst Kitsch Liao (廖彥棻) pointed out on Twitter, willingness to fight had actually risen 12 percent among 20-29 year olds since 2023.

The willingness decline in that poll had largely taken place among 30-39 year olds, he observed, attributing that to the fact that reserve duty ends at 40.

“It is unfortunate this poll asking whether people are willing to ‘fight to the death’ is only carried out every 2 years, as there is no way to separate the significant effect of [Democratic Progressive Party] DPP’s recent disastrous recall election from the underlying sentiment the poll [intends] to gauge,” Liao said.

TAIWANESE IDENTITY

One could also look at the National Chengchi University’s Election Center Taiwanese identity poll, which shows that the “Taiwanese-only” identity accounts for over 60 percent of the population, and has been steady at around that figure for several years. In fact, the “Taiwanese-Chinese” identity is in decline, from 38.2 percent in 2018, to just 30.5 percent now. The “Chinese-only” identity has been moribund for decades. Yep, things are changing: the Taiwanese are steadily becoming even more Taiwanese.

Another perspective on the “willingness to fight” findings is provided by academic work exploring public support for the use of force. The constant attacks on US backing for Taiwan from the pro-China parties and their supporters is quite logical, given how weak states behave when forced to confront more powerful states.

A classic work from naval analyst Eric Labs on how weak states behave when backed by a great power notes that when weaker states are supported by great powers, they act more aggressively, “strengthening the weak state’s tendency to balance.” However, Labs writes, the most preferred choice of weak states is non-alignment, if they can get it.

Given this, it is easy to understand the logic of the pro-People’s Republic of China (PRC) propaganda attacks in local politics. They appeal this temptation, arguing for a “neutral” position. A variation of that position, which does not name “neutrality” as the preferred choice, is to contend that Taiwan is “between” the US and the PRC.

It should always be recalled in these debates that Taiwan is in the space where it is because the PRC has put it there with its demands for submission and annexation. Ironically, if the PRC did not threaten Taiwan, Taiwanese would be happy to move closer to it.

The second choice of weak states is to “bandwagon” with the powerful threat, joining or appeasing it. Note that this too is part of the propaganda suite of local pro-China forces (“Join China, it is rich and rising!”), and is in fact the choice the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) made beginning around 2000. Hence, one reason that pro-China propaganda has so much appeal is that it tracks the most preferred choices of small states in the face of threats from Great Powers. Balancing the Great Power threat by aligning with another Great Power, which is what Taiwan is actually doing, is a less-preferred choice, more difficult to justify.

CONFLICTING PERCEPTIONS

A robust piece last year in the International Political Science Review on the willingness to use force identifies two excellent reasons for the conflicting and highly variable results for polling on “willingness to fight” in Taiwan. First, the actual questions and conditions vary widely across polling bodies. Second, they seldom clearly specify conditions, such as “Taiwan declares independence” or “the US does not support Taiwan.”

It should be added that many of these polls do not follow the issue over a long period of time, since they are intended as instant propaganda for one side or the other.

The study found that when respondents considered their military training useful (a huge “if” for local conscripts), they were more willing to fight. They also asked their sample about US intervention, finding logically that if the US intervened, there would be greater willingness to fight. Finally, they asked about Taiwan independence, but found no significant effect. The public will fight if the PRC invades, whether or not the island has “declared independence” (something always discussed in the media, but never clearly defined).

They also looked at casualty tolerance: are people still willing to fight when casualties rise? Again, the survey showed US intervention was critical. People were more willing to tolerate casualties if the US backed Taiwan.

Another paper last year in Issues & Studies used data from the Taiwan National Security Survey (TNSS), sponsored by Duke University in the US, and conducted by National Chengchi University.

That survey looks at other aspects of willingness to fight, such as “defeatist” attitudes and whether people will fight. Defeatist attitudes, in which participants answered an open-ended question (run away, surrender, do nothing, etc) on what they would do if war began, fell from over 80 percent in 2016 to 43.3 percent in 2022.

“TNSS surveys since 2016 have shown a steady increase in support for military action and a willingness to defend the nation,” they observe.

TNSS surveys also show that large majorities feel that other Taiwanese would fight, a feeling that increases individual willingness to fight.

“We can conclude that the military threat from China ultimately led to substantial increases in Taiwan’s public support for resistance,” the authors write.

They call for greater cultivation of public support for defending Taiwan, which is the basis for armed resistance to annexation.

The overall trend is clear: over the last decade, Taiwanese have grown more willing to fight the PRC if it attacks Taiwan. Keep this trend in mind as polls post wildly varying numbers showing spikes in one direction or another, and media organs like SCMP cherry pick the data from them.

In any case, the constantly shifting polls on willingness to fight will actually mean very little once bombs start falling and loved ones start dying. The danger lies in authoritarians believing their own propaganda and making war based on it, and in locals hearing this propaganda and believing it.

That is why it is constantly repeated, and that is why it must be constantly refuted.

Notes from Central Taiwan is a column written by long-term resident Michael Turton, who provides incisive commentary informed by three decades of living in and writing about his adoptive country. The views expressed here are his own.


people: 趙天麟 賴清德 林佳龍 鄭麗文 林三郎 林岱樺 柯志恩 陳其邁

taiwan-subdivisions: 鳳山 岡山

content_text:
Donovan’s Deep Dives: A rally, rifts and risks to the DPP’s rule in KaohsiungNext year’s election sees factional warfare rising to the national level, sex, intrigue, allegations of corruption and a religious guru

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) has pledged to “flip the south” next year, with high hopes of storming Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strongholds Kaohsiung and Tainan. Inaugurated on Nov. 1, Cheng is now focusing on next year’s election.

The DPP’s election campaign for next year under party Chairman William Lai (賴清德) got off to a surprisingly early start and is already well underway. The party has already chosen six of the 22 candidates for city and county leaders, with two incumbents and four challengers.

The DPP got mauled in 2022, winning only four leadership posts, including the big prizes of Tainan and Kaohsiung, on the strength of their popular incumbents. Both incumbents will be term-limited out next year, opening up both cities to new challengers.

Cheng — who hails from the southern county of Yunlin — has good reasons for thinking the south is in play for the KMT. She will be devoted full-time to helping KMT candidates win, while her opponent Lai has a day job as president, which is presumably distracting.

More importantly, the DPP is riven with brutal factional infighting in both cities, while the KMT has strong frontrunners.

In this column, we will focus on Kaohsiung. The DPP’s problems there weave together history from the early days of the party, factional warfare rising to the national level, sex, intrigue, allegations of corruption and a religious guru.

At the center of the storm is mayoral candidate and DPP Legislator Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺), one of four frontrunners to represent the party. Despite an ongoing trial for corruption and a string of allegations, she is standing resolutely defiant in the face of calls to exit the race.

On the KMT side, the smart and articulate Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) stands alone as the presumed candidate.

FRACTURED FIELD

Not long ago, it looked likely that rising star and DPP Legislator Chao Tian-lin (趙天麟) had a lock as the party’s nominee to replace Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chih-mai (陳其邁). Chao was a popular and likely unifying figure in this DPP-leaning city.

Then it was discovered he had had an extramarital affair with a Chinese woman, and a “Chinese” woman not in the sense of KMT Chairwoman Cheng’s “Taiwanese are Chinese,” but a woman from Communist China. In the pro-Taiwan DPP, this was political suicide.

This left a disunified field with each potential candidate backed by different factions, and with their own local support bases, but none with city-wide recognition. Now Lin Tai-hua has city-wide recognition, but not entirely for good reasons.

Despite her offices being raided in a corruption probe in February, and being formally charged along with nine others in June, she was until recently still leading in the polls — but not by enough to knock out her opponents.

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors’ Office accused Lin of using the names of relatives and others — including a Buddhist master at Kaohsiung’s Dongfa Temple (通法寺) — to embezzle NT$14.73 million (US$495,393 at the time) of assistant wages, along with fraudulently claiming NT$220,000 for overtime work by assistants from 2011 to 2014. She claims her finances during that period were managed by her father, former mayor of then-Fongshan City (鳳山), Lin San-lang (林三郎), and after his passing, these tasks fell to her sister, who has also been indicted for alleged embezzlement from January 2021 to November last year.

These allegations are similar to those impacting many politicians across party lines, and is quite common — with many arguing that the laws governing assistant wages are themselves part of the problem. Regardless of whether that case is legitimate or not, Lin said in a statement, “I will survive this storm and will work and take action to prove that I am innocent of the charges.”

Then in August, Mirror Media published leaks from court records, including some private texts with family friend and monk Shih Huang-chih (釋煌智). These were very intimate communications.

With quotes taken out of context, but without explicitly saying it, Mirror Media made it appear as if the relationship between the two was inappropriate, perhaps even physical.

By all accounts, Lin is very religious, and read in context, the comments have a far simpler explanation. Though not religious myself, it seems reasonable that a relationship with a spiritual guide and friend would naturally involve revealing emotions, and her word choices fit that type of relationship far more closely than what Mirror Media appeared to be implying.

By September, she was still polling respectably well, but lost her lead. In October, she faced the DPP’s anti-corruption committee and presented four boxes of documents in her defense. They have yet to release any ruling.

DEFIANT RALLY

The pressure on her to quit the race was intensifying, but in a show of force last Saturday, she held a major rally in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山). The press always exaggerates crowd sizes and claimed that she drew 30,000 people, but though the real number was clearly lower, it was still an impressively large rally and demonstrated she has a strong support base.

The press focused on her apparent suggestion to supporters to tell pollsters they were in the 20-30 age demographic, which is puzzling and counterproductive, but could be construed as attempting to rig poll results.

From the stage, she said that once she surged ahead in the polls she became a target, and accused prosecutors and investigators of distorting past witness testimony, fabricating statements from deceased individuals, and forcibly trying to frame her for corruption. She accused prosecutors of being deliberately intent on destroying her political life.

Prior to the rally, major figures from her DPP faction — Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association (TNCPA, 正常國家促進會, usually abbreviated to 正國會) — including Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) publicly called for supporters to attend.

After harsh criticism from inside the party, all those major figures skipped the rally, which was likely a humiliating climb-down for a faction that has suffered significant setbacks recently. The chances of a factional rift between the TNCPA and their nominal allies in Lai’s dominant New Tide faction must be increasing.

The DPP is understandably concerned about running a candidate on trial for corruption against the KMT’s formidable Ko. Why is Lin so determined to forge on?

In the 1980s, the KMT’s Kaohsiung County Black faction broke with the party and switched sides to support Dangwai opponents, who later helped form the DPP. Her father, with ties to figures in the Black Faction, became Fongshan City’s first DPP mayor in the 1990s.

Lin grew up in this formative period as Taiwan transitioned to democracy, and threw herself wholeheartedly into the process, starting from the ground up. This is who she is; politics is her life.

That such a large number of supporters rallied to her side, despite all her troubles, demonstrates the depth of her support after years of serving her constituents.

She has thrown down the gauntlet and stated she will run to the end. She has also said that she will respect the results of the DPP primary.

This puts the DPP in a quandary. If, for example, the DPP’s anti-corruption committee were to put a stop to her run, will she call foul?

Though she currently says she will not run as an independent, if she feels the DPP is rigging the primary against her, will she change her mind?

The primary is scheduled for January 12-17 and will be conducted through opinion polling.

If the DPP handles this badly, she could split the ticket and cause factional chaos within the party. However, if she wins the primary and is convicted of corruption, the consequences for the DPP in Kaohsiung could be dire.

This is a race to watch.

Donovan’s Deep Dives is a regular column by Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) who writes in-depth analysis on everything about Taiwan’s political scene and geopolitics. Donovan is also the central Taiwan correspondent at ICRT FM100 Radio News, co-publisher of Compass Magazine, co-founder Taiwan Report (report.tw) and former chair of the Taichung American Chamber of Commerce. Follow him on X: @donovan_smith.


title: Book review: Navigating from the margins

content_text:
While often elusive, Syaman Rapongan’s vision of ocean literature recenters Taiwan’s colonial history around ocean ‘First Nations’

For much of his life, Syaman Rapongan’s world involved unresolved and seemingly unresolvable dialectics. Sea vs land; culture vs barbarism; the Tao Celestial Spirit vs the Christian godhead: These are among the polarities that informed the writer’s outlook.

A native of Pongso no Tao — or Lanyu (Orchid Island, 蘭嶼) — Syaman Rapongan dedicated himself to challenging these fractures and the prejudice they engendered.

The channels he navigated, turbulent and impenetrable as the Kuroshio Current that pulses the shores of his homeland, shaping its ecology and culture, crisscross this autoethnographic work of “colonial ocean island literature.”

Even the issue of names — his own, those of his people and birthplace — are bones of decolonial contention.

As Scott E Simon explains in his introduction, Pongso no Tao was early known to Europeans as Botel Tobago. It is still called this in the Philippines, with which the island historically had cultural and trade ties via the Batanes archipelago across the Bashi Channel (巴士海峽); a nipponized version of this name — Tabako — is found in historical Japanese records.

Under successive Chinese dynasties — the Ming and the Qing — it was dubbed Hongdouyu (紅豆與, Red Bean Islet) and Hongtouyu (紅頭與, Red Head Islet) respectively, the latter apparently deriving from features of the island’s mountains. Finally, under Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rule, it was rebaptized Lanyu after the island’s orchids.

Yet to the Tao, whose endonym — like other Taiwanese indigenous peoples — translates simply as “human(s),” their homeland is the “island of humans.”

The designation Tao, writes Simon, has “proven to be remarkably resilient” and was emphasized during early indigenous activism in Taiwan, in which Syaman Rapongan participated. However, it is not favored by all islanders — some preferring the Japanese-era exonym Yami.

With Tao nomenclature dictating that names are used in full, “Syaman” indicates fatherhood and “Rapongan” the child’s name. The author is thus “Father of Rapongan.” On becoming a grandfather, he is “Syapen,” followed by his grandchild’s name.

Just as the matrilineality of Taiwan’s Amis people is a refreshing surprise to dabblers in anthropology that first encounter the phenomenon, there is a profound humility in the cultural foregrounding of children in Tao society. It contrasts with the filial piety of those who colonized Pongso no Tao during the twentieth century, repressing traditional indigenous values.

EMASCULATING EXPERIENCE

Trampled by Christian and Han Chinese moralizing, the self-identity of the Tao — branded “hillbillies,” “potlids” (after their bowl haircuts) or, most hurtfully, “savages,” — is irrelevant. When a 16-year-old Shih Nu-lai (施努來), as the author was known in Chinese, introduces himself by his birthname of Cigewat, he learns, “[n]o one cares about your Yami name.”

Aside from the shock, he recalls, the “distress of having misnamed myself.” The young man had assumed his name “was something to be proud of.”

This early taste of colonial emasculation comes from Father Cheng Hung-sheng (鄭鴻聲), of the Swiss-founded Bethlehem Mission Society into whose care Cigewat is entrusted. Cheng heads Cultivating Character House (陪質院) — next door to a pair of brothels.

While residing here, Cigewat becomes just the fourth Tao child to attend Taitung Senior High School. Bare necessities are covered, though, during holidays, the apostolic brothers lease their indigenous youngsters to an avaricious, gammy-legged taskmaster in the remote mountains.

Recalling the work of Malaysian scholar Syed Hussein Alatas in The Myth of the Lazy Native, Syaman Rapongan reveals the hypocrisy of the clergymen via another duality.

“A teacher or doctor has an occupation and belongs to a certain ‘social class,’” Cheng says. “Someone who engages in tribal activities, like a fisherman, a hunter or planter of taro and sweet potato does not have an occupation, he’s just making a ‘living.’”

PUZZLING INTERACTIONS

Continuing this theme, the “gloomy priest” avers that a primitive lifestyle “aims at nothing more than self-sufficiency” involving “the simplest form of social organization,” the Tao “don’t have any culture.” Embracing Chinese culture to “edify” future generations is thus “the best way out for you.”

The hypocrisy of such admonishments is exposed by the habitual sneering of the priests at any aspirations deemed fanciful. When a Bunun classmate suggests he would like to be a history teacher, a “look of disdain appeared on [Cheng’s] face.” His “racist tendencies,” writes Syaman Rapongan, were renowned.

Perhaps the most interesting of the book’s oppositions is that of the pure, innocent islanders vs the manipulative, menacing Taiwanese — both Minnanners (閩南人) and Mainlanders, to use translator Darryl Stark’s preferred terms.

There is something satisfyingly in the simplicity of Sterk’s use of “bad guys,” throughout the text to describe this murky threat.

As a youth, the author regularly encountered “hooligans,” serving sentences on the island — “the sort of guy [village elders] were worried I would turn into in Taiwan.” Yet, his interactions with such types are puzzling.

On the ferry to Taiwan, he meets Mr Chen, a recently freed Bamboo Union gangster and university graduate. Chuffing Long Life cigarettes, with other passengers doubled over, vomiting, the old lag “offers words of encouragement [that] seemed much more sincere than anything my schoolteachers had ever said.”

But when Cigewat sees his seasick female classmates receiving Chen’s untoward attention, he “could feel his breath, a mouthful of nastiness” and it appeared “as if behind his words was the lesson of Han patriarchy that we had learned in junior high, and a fantasy of sexual slavery.”

CHALLENGING THE NARRATIVE

This ambiguity surfaces anew in the character of Pasuya, a Taiwanese ex-con, who offers Cigewat great kindness, zero discrimination and financial support.

Still, while laboring for peanuts across Taiwan, Cigewat soon understands who these “bad guys” are, as he is exploited and belittled.

As the first indigenous student to attend university without minority credits, Cigewat “is not the kind of ‘hillbilly’ who lets himself get fostered by the KMT.” Instead, he dreams of being an “ocean writer” — a pursuit incomprehensible to landlubbers.

Among the perplexed is a priest to whom Syaman Rapongan presents his first book. The man doesn’t understand it. Like others who grew “up without the sound of the ocean to serve as an alarm clock … he lacked maritime imagination.”

One can’t entirely blame him. Aside from concrete examples of “Tao maritime life,” such as canoe building, diving for nine-holed abalone, and the exorcism of malevolent anito spirits to ensure a bountiful maritime harvest, there are oblique references to the “emotions of fishes,” becoming a fish scale, and the “speech of the starry sky” — part of a “translational ocean island literature of my own creation.”

The eye motif of the title, which recurs in relation to the sky, the sea and the author’s own mind, is particularly elusive. In postscript translator’s note, Sterk suggests that its interpretation “lies with reader.”

Perhaps it is understood through its “potential to unsettle many dominant understandings of Taiwan,” writes Simon. Removing the Tao from the margins of colonizing cultures, Syaman Rapongan places his island First Nation at “the center of something new.”

Like the map he finds in a Rarotonga bookshop, Syaman Rapongan presents a reconfigured world, with the sea as its beating heart.


title: Yodel-ay-hee ... huh?

content_text:
The Swiss government is looking for a shout-out from the UN cultural agency to include yodeling on its list of intangible cultural heritage

Yodel-ay-hee ... what?! Those famed yodeling calls that for centuries have echoed through the Alps, and more recently have morphed into popular song and folk music, could soon reap a response — from faraway Paris.

Switzerland’s government is looking for a shout-out from UN cultural agency UNESCO, based in the French capital, to include the tradition of yodeling on its list of intangible cultural heritage. A decision is expected by year-end.

Modern-day promoters emphasize that the yodel is far more than the mountain cries of yesteryear by falsetto-bellowing male herders in suspenders who intone alongside giant Alphorns atop verdant hillsides. It’s now a popular form of singing.

Over the last century, yodeling clubs sprouted up in Switzerland, building upon the tradition and broadening its appeal — with its tones, techniques and tremolos finding their way deeper into the musical lexicon internationally in classical, jazz and folk. US country crooners prominently blended yodels into their songs in the late 1920s and 30s.

About seven years ago, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, or HSLU by its German-language acronym, became the first Swiss university to teach yodeling.

“For me, actually, in Switzerland we have four languages but I think really we have five languages. We have a fifth: The yodel,” said HSLU professor Nadja Rass, alluding to the official German, French, Italian and Romansh languages in Switzerland. Yodeling exists in neighboring Austria, Germany and Italy, but Swiss yodeling is distinctive because of its vocal technique, she said.


content_text:
SPEAK UP: Dodgers’ 10-year contract with Ohtani pays off in just one season (1/2) 大賽奪冠道奇大谷巨約回本（上）

A: Major League Baseball’s 2025 World Series took place last week. The games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays were so exciting.

B: As the highest-paid baseball player in the world, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers was an incandescant superstar.

A: The Dodgers signed a record-breaking 10-year, US$700 million contract with Ohtani in 2023. As former ESPN reporter Joon Lee analyzed, the team quickly made back all the investment in the player’s first season.

B: Wow, how is that possible?

A: Firstly, tourism from Japan to Los Angeles has surged by 90 percent since Ohtani signed the deal, with the majority of Japanese tourists attending Dodgers’ games.

A: 美國職棒大聯盟2025年「世界大賽」上週精彩開打，洛杉磯道奇隊和多倫多藍鳥隊的比賽真刺激。

B: 道奇的大谷翔平仍是場上最耀眼的超級巨星，不愧是全球收入最高棒球選手。

A: 道奇在2023年以破紀錄的10年7億美元（約214億台幣）簽下大谷，根據ESPN前記者Joon Lee近日的分析，該隊在第一個球季結束時合約就已全部回本！

B: 天啊這是怎麼做到的？

A: 首先、自簽約後洛杉磯的日本遊客暴增90％，而絕大多數遊客都會去道奇看球。

（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）

For your information Language TIP 語文小提示 pay off1. 清償債務 pay off the debts2. 結清工資後之解僱 The company has paid off some redundant workers.3. 【口】回本、行得通、有好結果（尤指冒險的做法或政策）Did the record-breaking contract finally pay off?

countries: 日本 美國


title: 一家三口「同年同月同日生」！驚奇巧合護理長也驚呆：第一次遇到

content_text:
▲湖北武漢一家三口同年同月同日生。（圖／翻攝微博／極目新聞）

記者柯振中／綜合報導

大陸湖北武漢一名王姓男子與熊姓妻子同年同月同日生，今年11月間熊女懷胎十月產女，沒想到愛女也是同月同日生，離奇的巧合讓院方驚訝不已，也特意為三人準備了生日驚喜，溫馨的事件在網路上受到許多討論。

綜合陸媒報導，王男2023年11月間透過網路認識熊女，聊天時意外發現2人是同年同月同日生，彼此都感到十分驚訝。隨著感情升溫，2人確定了戀愛關係，且去年成功步入婚姻、登記結婚。

今年1月間熊女發現懷孕，升格當父母的喜悅讓2人都開心不已。沒想到懷胎10月以後，熊女在生日當天產下一女，最終一家三口都是同月、同日出生，驚人的巧合讓院方驚訝不已。

▲湖北武漢一家三口同年同月同日生。（圖／翻攝微博／極目新聞）

婦產科的醫護人員得知以後，特意準備了蛋糕、玩偶，一同前往病房，替這一家三口唱生日快樂歌慶生。康姓護理長對此表示，她入職至今已有多年，卻是第一次遇見這種罕見的巧合，這就是一場「命中注定的溫暖巧遇」。

暖心的一幕曝光後，不少大陸網友為此留言，「寶寶：我家一年只能吃一次蛋糕」、「同一天一家人生日」、「一年只有一個生日宴，必須大辦」、「這也太省蛋糕了」、「這也太巧了吧」、「這個真的太有緣份了。」


title: 彩妝控必收！嬌蘭、蘭蔻聖誕限定彩妝系列搶先看

content_text:
記者曾怡嘉／綜合報導

聖誕節倒數計時，各大彩妝品牌紛紛祭出聖誕限定，除了彩妝設計優美吸睛，更是處處是細節，彩妝控絕對要收！

▲嬌蘭 星芒奇想聖誕彩妝。

▲幻彩流星蜜粉球中藏有星星形造型。

▲嬌蘭 紅寶之吻高訂唇膏。

嬌蘭推出星芒奇想聖誕彩妝系列，以摺紙藝術為靈感，向冬夜星空致敬，將經典的紅寶之吻高訂唇膏、高訂深邃四色眼影盤，以及幻彩流星蜜粉球換上以摺紙圖案與閃耀星紋打造的珍稀外殼，並推出全新限定色號。

品牌經典帝王蜂印瓶於聖誕期間限定店獨家推出兩款香氛，到店消費不限金額即可享「星芒奇想紙藝香氛吊飾」及多重滿額好禮，選購香水滿額更再享限量法式聖誕禮盒包裝。此外，凡於聖誕期間限定店完成體驗，並綁定嬌蘭官方LINE帳號，還可參加星芒奇想許願書抽獎活動，領取專屬活動體驗禮。

▲蘭蔻聖誕彩妝全品項。

▲蘭蔻 絕對完美唇膏-絲絨霧感限定包裝。

蘭蔻為了慶祝品牌90周年，以《粉燦聖誕・奢幻啟程》為主題，讓單品披上粉金盛裝，整個華麗破表。從宛若珠寶的絕對完美訂製彩妝盒、絕對耀眼眼彩盤，到全新限定色絕對完美唇膏－絲絨霧感限定包裝、唯我精華果凍唇蜜與唯我頰彩棒，5款限量彩妝在柔霧粉色皮革、奧賽巨鐘燙金和金緻雪花映襯下，以最絢爛奢華的絕美姿態，訴說自1935年穿越時空的法式優雅。

▲蘭蔻 絕對完美訂製彩妝盒 (2025聖誕限量版) ，5,980元。

以奢華旅行為靈感，外殼點綴粉色皮革與香檳金，兩側唇膏收納金色圓柱造型，則如復古雙筒望遠鏡，陪伴展開尋覓幸福的浪漫綺旅。中央眼頰彩盤上壓印著傳遞巴黎意象的奧賽時鐘浮雕，精選五色描繪旅途窗外的雪山暮色兩側收納盒內的絕對完美柔霧唇膏，色號包含 #3 Spring富家千金裸粉色，以及 #12 Winter冬季濃郁覆盆子粉，綿密質地一抹柔焦雙唇。


countries: 中國 台灣 馬來西亞

content_text:
▲陪黃明志投案，15年正牌女友曝光。（圖／中國報）

記者許力方／綜合報導

捲入台灣網紅謝侑芯命案的馬來西亞歌手黃明志，遭警方通緝，5日凌晨現身金馬警區總部投案，當地媒體目擊，當時陪在他身邊的，除了有律師外，還有與他交往15年的正牌女友Sarah，照片也隨之曝光。

黃明志5日凌晨現身警區總部投案，下車先自拍後隨即被警方帶走，並成功向法庭申請延扣6天。當時馬媒拍到陪同者有數名，包含一名穿著白色T恤、綁馬尾，戴著眼鏡的清秀女子一路相隨，未料眼尖粉絲向《自由時報》指出，清秀女子其實就是黃明志的正牌女友。

事實上，黃明志和化妝師女友愛情長跑15年，去年就傳出2人有意結婚，並且在台灣置產買房，黃明志來台受訪時實常被問及此事。去年周刊一度直擊黃明志帶著女友跑慶功宴，他遇到粉絲要合照，女友Sarah也是靜靜在旁等候，沒有迴避，接著兩人才返回愛巢，看起來感情十分要好，一度被認為婚事已近。

▼黃明志投案自拍 。（圖／翻攝自IG)

title: 黃明志投案「15年正牌女友」一路陪伴　清秀照曝光


title: 國際火線／白宮史上最傑出傀儡師：錢尼

content_text:
▲「挾小布希以令諸侯」的美國前副總統錢尼。（圖／公共版權照片)

文／朱錦華

大家都曉得，副總統是所謂「備位元首」。現世安穩時，閒閒沒代誌。因此美國開國元勳、第一任副總統亞當斯(John Adams)曾經半開玩笑的說：「副總統職位是人類發明出來最沒用的東西！」然而凡事必有例外。譬如小布希總統的兩任副手、被史家公認是「美國史上最有權勢副總統」的錢尼(Dick Cheney)。11月3日，錢尼因肺炎和心血管疾病引發的併發症逝世，享壽84歲。

在白宮任職多年的錢尼，1989年時獲總統老布希提拔出任國防部長。1990至1991年第一次波灣戰爭期間，他運籌帷幄，讓美軍輾壓伊拉克、贏得壓倒性勝利，錢尼遂跟時任參謀首長聯席會議主席的鮑威爾(Colin Powell)、以及擔任波灣戰爭多國部隊總司令的史瓦茲柯夫(Norman Schwarzkopf)，成為家喻戶曉的人物。

▲領導美國打贏第一次波灣戰爭的老布希。(圖／達志影像／美聯社)

命運是一個喜歡嘲弄和跟人們開玩笑的整人專家。老布希(George H.W.Bush)的4個兒子裡，本來被認為最不成材的長子小布希(George W.Bush)，從政後卻異軍突起，憑著虔誠的宗教信仰和強烈的保守主義主張，竟然當選了德州州長(1995至2000年)。接著他又擊敗黨內同志馬侃(John McCain)，成為2000年大選的共和黨總統候選人（代表民主黨的是柯林頓副手高爾）。

挑選競選搭檔時，錢尼向小布希推薦了好幾個人。但小布希青眼有加，偏偏相中錢尼。這個選擇，顯然是小布希主打「國家安全牌」，認為有國防部長經驗的錢尼，可護他周全。

▲911發生時，白宮幕僚長卡德告訴總統小布希「美國正在遭受攻擊」。（圖／路透）

2000年的總統大選，是美國史上極罕見激烈的一次，搞到要重新計票，而出事的地方，偏偏就是小布希的弟弟傑布·布希(Jeb Bush)擔任州長的佛羅里達！計票糾纏一個多月。最後高爾為避免國家陷入動亂，展現君子風度，承認敗選退場。

2001年，美國發生「911恐攻事件」。錢尼大展拳腳，主導了美國的反恐戰爭。小布希要打阿富汗，但錢尼最終目標卻是伊拉克（儘管許多證據顯示，911的元兇蓋達組織跟伊拉克關係不深）。最高潮的一幕，就是2003年時，擔任國務卿的鮑威爾在聯合國安理會上，出示一根裝著白色粉末的試管，聲稱這就是「伊拉克擁有大規模殺傷性武器」的證據。師出有名，美軍隨後入侵伊拉克。

▲國務卿鮑爾（左）與總統小布希，911後都被錢尼擺布得團團轉。(圖／達志影像／美聯社)

「911」之後，錢尼「挾小布希以令諸侯」，儼然「地下總統」。諸多以反恐之名施行的惡行：例如在古巴關塔那摩灣監獄非法拘禁大批穆斯林、使用水刑逼供等，多半跟「老錢」脫離不了關係。

2018年，美國上映了一部描述錢尼生平的傳記電影《為副不仁》(Vice)。在諾蘭《黑暗騎士三部曲》裡飾演蝙蝠俠的克里斯汀貝爾，特別增胖出演錢尼，獲當年奧斯卡最佳男主角提名。

countries: 美國 古巴 阿富汗 伊拉克


title: 綠委提「轉大人ETF」孩子滿18領100萬　黃士修傻眼：沒文化真可怕

content_text:
▲民進黨立委郭國文提出「轉大人ETF」，讓孩子成年時就能擁有人生第一桶金。（圖／記者詹詠淇攝）

記者趙蔡州／綜合報導

民進黨立委郭國文近日在立院質詢時，提出政府可成立「轉大人ETF」，政府每月替0至10歲的孩子投入4000元，家長也投入4000元，讓孩子成年時就能擁有人生第一桶金。對此「核能流言終結者」創辦人黃士修表示，郭國文的提案投資邏輯、曝險全錯，甚至連收益都是錯的，讓他忍不住感嘆，「你的數學是國文老師教的嗎？」

黃士修5日在臉書表示，郭國文提出「轉大人ETF」，聲稱家長月繳4000元，加上補助4000元，繳10年，孩子年滿18歲可以領100萬元，讓他忍不住感嘆「沒文化真可怕」。

黃士修指出，郭國文以台股年化報酬率為10%計算，每個月8000元，強制鎖定18年，「不存在可交易的二級市場，這是極大的曝險，將市場的Beta包裝成保證收益，更不負責任」、「我為何不自己存0050，還要給你抽一手？」

黃士修說，這個提案以國家隊為名，混合政策目標和財務目標，「投資邏輯模糊，根本黑箱」、「台股近年大多頭，更須注意，歷史報酬不保證未來績效，若遇重大系統性風險，或長期空頭市場，導致18年後與目標有巨大落差，屆時無人可負責。」

黃士修直言，對於很多家庭而言，養小孩已負擔沉重，額外多榨4000元，國庫再撥4000元，都是納稅人的錢，「拿我的錢，當你的政治工具？」

他也指出，家長月繳4000元，加上政府補助4000元，繳10年就是96萬，年化報酬率10%，複利計算18年，總資產為366萬元，「郭國文說，孩童年滿18歲時，約有100萬可以使用，你的數學是國文老師教的嗎。」


title: 網紅爆粿粿是「家寧翻版」！一毛錢都沒給范姜　貼文反遭狂酸

content_text:
▲粿粿與范姜彥豐婚變事件至今持續延燒。（圖／翻攝自IG）

網搜小組／柯振中報導

男星范姜彥豐控訴妻子粿粿的事件持續延燒，網紅「玉米泉哥」連續爆了關於粿粿的4個內幕，5日晚間又再度爆料，指稱「家寧翻版是真的，粿粿也不遜色」，不過貼文曝光以後，反遭網友們狂酸。

玉米泉哥5日深夜10點在Threads上發文，指稱粿粿當初與范姜一同工作時，誇口會處理通告、算好薪水，並且工作室透明、連37元都會記帳，但「有沒有給，那就是另一回事了」。

玉米泉哥聲稱，范姜所賺到的錢，工作室都拖著未給，「薪水？通告費？別鬧了，那根本沒影」，粿粿的工作室「一毛錢都沒給」，數十萬元的金額至今仍無下落。

▼玉米泉哥爆粿粿是「家寧翻版」。（圖／翻攝Threads／玉米泉哥）

玉米泉哥語帶嘲諷地說，在外面演出「恩愛夫妻、雙燕同飛」的形象，但真正起飛的僅有粿粿，「飛得漂亮、飛得乾淨、飛得不提任何欠款的那種。」

玉米泉哥最後表示，粿粿想營造出「我很有錢我都在養范姜」的形象，「拜託，當初如果范姜家底不夠硬，你會嫁？別裝清高，大家都不是第一天做人。」

不過，由於玉米泉哥稍早承諾公布「第一手獨家大瓜」，如今的貼文出來，網友們則是不買單，留言怒轟「好無聊，結果也沒證據，白蹲」、「果然很爛，沒料就不要在那邊泉」、「聽君一席話，如聽一席話」、「就這樣？我寧願看到是王子兩個禮拜沒洗澡」、「都說是泉哥了，妳各位還當真啊！」


title: 8連霸市民代表蘇文霸病逝家中　一生奉獻苗栗盡職到最後

content_text:
▲8連霸市民代表蘇文霸病逝家中。（圖／翻攝蘇文霸臉書）

記者許力方／綜合報導

苗栗8連霸的市民代表蘇文霸今（5日）清晨在家中病逝，享壽70歲。蘇文霸近年因健康狀況不佳，仍堅持出席定期會，深耕地方，專職奉獻給大西山地區，他的離去引起地方不捨，感佩他盡職到最後一刻。

苗栗市長余文忠、市代表會等地方人士紛紛表達哀悼不捨。蘇文霸在當地已連任8屆，是這一屆最資深的，雖然大家都說他資歷足以往上爬，但他熱心地方事務，從政後全職擔任市民代表，沒有轉換跑道，一心為了大西山地區鄉親服務，爭取建設，地方感佩他盡忠職守到最後一刻，十分不捨。

市代表會指出，蘇文霸患有心臟宿疾，近來又因右腳受傷，多次住院，但他仍惦記這次定期會，抱病出席，且因腳無法用力，議事堂在2樓，他仍堅持在妻子攙扶下上樓，全程參與會議。沒想到3日開完會，4日晚間蘇文霸病況急轉直下，不幸於5日凌晨病逝。


title: 桃園最大市場南門市場大火　凌濤臉書發文要求市府三大應變

content_text:
▲桃園最大市場南門市場大火。（圖／消防局提供）

記者楊淑媛／桃園報導

桃園市桃園區老城區最大市場的南門市場，5日晚間9點半發生大火，市議員凌濤臉書呼籲市場下風處居民盡量待在室內，緊閉門窗、減少外出，如需外出，請戴好口罩，用路人們也請先迴避南門市場附近道路。

凌濤同時聯繫桃園市政府及經發局，要求三大標準回復南門市場運作，維護南門市場的攤商及市民的權益。分別為：

1、緊急應變中繼市場，讓攤商在南門市場重建過程，兼顧市民購買習慣及攤商生計，最短期間研擬地點及興建方案。2、這次火警未限縮公有市場及外攤範圍，市政府應該全數納入補償及重建範圍，保障攤商生計。3、南門市場原址重建，必須於最短期間恢復桃園最大的南北貨市場的風華，讓市民跟攤商恢復往昔熱絡。


content_text:
▲中央普發1萬，桃園推出「百倍奉還」擴大普發效益。（圖／市府提供）

記者楊淑媛／桃園報導

桃園市長張善政5日於市政會議表示，因應中央普發現金1萬元，市府推出「普發一萬．桃園百倍奉還」活動，讓民眾「用少錢得大獎」，期盼藉由加碼效應，吸引更多消費者前來桃園購物、餐飲與旅遊，進而帶動桃園商圈活絡與產業發展。

張善政說明，「普發一萬．桃園百倍奉還」活動規劃每日、每週、每月及壓軸抽獎機制，只要登錄100元以上消費發票，即有機會中得「百倍奉還」的好運大獎。活動每日抽1萬元、每週抽5萬元、每月抽10萬元，以及最終壓軸更有100萬元現金大獎。

張市長也感謝桃園商業總會、桃園市商圈產業聯合會及桃園觀光工廠促進發展協會等商業界共同響應，期盼透過公私協力，讓普發1萬元的效益在桃園持續滾動，讓經濟活力回饋至商家與市民，形成全民共享的正向循環。

經濟發展局長張誠表示，活動自11月12日起至12月31日止舉辦，發票登錄期間為11月13日至明（115）年1月7日，讓民眾有更充裕時間準備與登錄參加。凡於桃園市合法開立統一發票的商家消費每滿100元，即可獲得一組抽獎序號，每張發票最多可累積600組序號（單筆消費上限6萬元）。為擴大中獎機會並兼顧公平性，活動規定同一張發票僅限中獎一次、同一人不得重複領取相同獎項。

張局長也進一步指出，「普發一萬 ．桃園百倍奉還」活動設有天天抽、週週抽、月月抽與壓軸抽等四大抽獎機制，分別為天天抽1萬元1名、週週抽5萬元1名、月月抽10萬元1名，以及最終壓軸抽100萬元現金1名。活動期間，經發局也將與在地商圈、觀光工廠及樂天桃猿球團合作，推出限量加碼好禮與體驗活動，吸引更多民眾前來桃園購物與旅遊，創造城市觀光與消費雙贏的經濟效益。

title: 中央普發1萬　桃園推出「百倍奉還」擴大普發效益


content_text:
▲中台世界博物館舉辦《雲裳萬象》文化派對。（圖／中台世界博物館提供，下同）

記者高堂堯／南投報導

數位時代流行「穿越式體驗」，中台世界博物館即日起舉辦「雲裳萬象──唐代風華的文化派對」活動，設計微型展示拍照區，邀請民眾化身萬國使者、走入盛唐長安城，感受古今交會的文化魅力，且至11月9日期間，穿著特色服飾即可免費入館。

館方指出，11月8、9日另安排假日限定活動，串聯「唐風樂遊坊──古風遊戲」、「萬象樂舞集──音樂與舞蹈表演」、「雲裳文化街──蔬食市集」，讓親子民眾在休閒活動中認識唐代文化，也把文化探索變成遊戲挑戰的一環，民眾可至服務台領取「雲裳文帖」，完成任務即可兌換精美禮物或市集禮券。

館方表示，「雲裳萬象」活動希望讓民眾在輕鬆互動中了解唐代文化的多樣性、培養孩子對文化的好奇心，邀請全家人一起度過共學、共玩和共享的美好時光。

【活動資訊】名稱｜雲裳萬象──唐代風華的文化派對日期｜2025 年 11 月 4 日（二）至11 月 9 日（日）地點｜中台世界博物館（南投縣埔里鎮中台路 8 號）內容｜凡穿著特色服飾或配件（如漢服、和服、原住民頭飾、紗麗、頭巾等），皆可免費入館；唐風遊戲體驗；鄭旭娟老師古箏教室師生和薪傳舞蹈團獻演；以長安東西市為靈感打造的蔬食 × 手作 × 文創 × 異國美食市集。詳情｜請見官網最新消息www.ctwm.org.tw及 臉書www.facebook.com/ctwm.org

title: 中台世界博物館「雲裳萬象」活動穿越盛唐　穿著特色服飾免費入館

taiwan-subdivisions: 埔里 南投 南投縣


title: 發展南桃園　市議員吳嘉和爭設客運營運中心

content_text:
▲發展南桃園，市議員吳嘉和爭取龍岡區段徵收。（圖／市議會國民黨團提供）

記者楊淑媛／桃園報導

桃園市議員吳嘉和5日於市政總質詢表示，身為最後一屆議員，他希望能在任內推動龍岡區段徵收、設立客運營運中心，帶動南桃園整體發展，強調「地方繁榮必須不斷精進、持續改善」。吳嘉和指出，桃園體育園區與大巨蛋建設進展順利，但未來啟用後勢必面臨交通壅塞問題，其中「龍岡路拓寬三期」工程最為關鍵。

然而，光800公尺道路拓寬與土地徵收經費高達50億元，對市府財政負擔沉重。他建議以「區段徵收」方式開發龍岡路周邊，無需編列額外預算即可取得公設用地。提議可利用明年9月即將遷校的「龍岡國小舊址」作為徵收起點，範圍涵蓋龍岡路、環中東路至康貝特工廠一帶，達到開發與公共建設並行的雙贏效果。市長張善政對此回應：「這個建議非常值得考慮。」

吳嘉和進一步指出，應延伸環中東路至平鎮、連結環南路，形成南桃園主要發展軸線。該區鄰近平鎮社教館、平鎮高中與未來平鎮火車站，交通與區域發展潛力巨大。市長張善政表示認同，將請相關單位進一步研議。

他強調，採取區段徵收不僅節省財政支出，還能增加公設用地並促進土地活化，未來完工後將大幅提升地方稅收與城市競爭力，對南桃園發展具重大效益。在交通建設方面，吳嘉和建議於龍岡路區段徵收完成後，同步設立「客運營運中心」。

因為，目前南桃園各家客運多集中在中壢火車站周邊，交通壅塞、人車動線混亂，安全疑慮嚴重。若能設立集中式客運中心，並以地下通道串連中壢火車站與A26捷運站，不僅可疏解人流，也可創造新商圈，帶動整體城市發展。

taiwan-subdivisions: 桃園 平鎮 中壢


title: 台北國際旅展　日管處偕魚人立槳、日月老茶廠推微笑遊程

content_text:
▲日管處攜手業者亮相2025 ITF台北國際旅展，以「微笑遊臺灣」展現山水人文魅力。（圖／日月潭國家風景區管理處提供，下同）

記者高堂堯／南投報導

日月潭國家風景區管理處將於11月7日至10日參加「2025 ITF台北國際旅展」，於「國家風景區館」展出，並以「北回啟程，微笑遊臺灣」為主軸，象徵旅程從微笑開始、從心出發，邀請民眾走進日月潭攤位，一起體驗湖光山色與人文風情交織的旅遊魅力。

日管處表示，本次邀請兩家優質業者(OneLife｜魚人立槳、日月老茶廠)共同參展，帶來豐富多元的在地體驗：OneLife｜魚人立槳以專業水域體驗活動聞名，讓遊客在教練指導下安全親水、體驗潭上立槳的自在時光，同時也將品牌旗下以天然酵母與在地食材手作的「魚光窯烤麵包」帶到現場，呈現結合湖畔生活與慢旅風格的獨特滋味。

日月老茶廠則展現日月潭紅茶的深厚底蘊與永續「茶旅」精神，也將提供茶品展示與試飲體驗，讓旅客感受職人精神與土地的故事；現場並舉辦「旅展限定滿額贈禮」活動，凡消費達指定金額即可獲得限量精美好禮。

日管處表示，希望透過旅展讓更多旅客了解日月潭不僅擁有壯麗山水，更融合文化底蘊、永續觀光與戶外體驗等多元面向，同時持續強化與業者的夥伴關係，攜手推動觀光品牌向外延伸；更多活動資訊與旅遊優惠可上日月潭國家風景區管理處官網與粉絲專頁查詢。


countries: 台灣 韓國

title: 2026台灣設計展在桃園　張善政：跨局處展現城市創意與設計實力

content_text:
▲2026台灣設計展在桃園，張善政期望跨局處展現城市創意與設計實力。（圖／市府提供）

記者楊淑媛／桃園報導

桃園市長張善政5日於市政會議，聽取青年事務局及文化局「桃園青年設計人才培育」專題報告指出，2026台灣設計展將是展現桃園設計能量的重要里程碑，期勉市府團隊持續精進，跨局處攜手展現桃園的創意能量與設計實力。

青年局局長侯佳齡表示，市府提供青年設計團隊展現機會，在台灣設計展中有更多參與和創意展現，該局將持續推動產官學合作與設計推廣計畫，並將在台灣設計展期間舉辦「台日韓國際學生營隊」，進一步促進國際青年設計交流。

青年局指出，為落實「設計力X青年力X桃園力」目標，市府透過桃園設計庫串聯在地22所高中職及大專校院設計學群，為青年設計人才搭建實戰平台。自112年起，已輔導66組設計團隊進駐多元空間，並透過業師輔導及商業媒合，協助青年將創意轉化為商業價值。

2026台灣設計展期間，青年局將以青年設計力串聯在地產業打造「國際青年城市」與「青年設計城市」兩大展區，展現桃園青年設計潛能。

文化局表示，市府積極提升城市美學意識與國際設計視野，透過「桃園城市創意設計中心」建置包含視覺設計、產品設計、建築與景觀設計等跨域美學資料庫，協助各局處將設計思維導入城市治理；同時邀請美學顧問進行提案輔導，並協助青創設計團隊系統化導入設計軟實力。

文化局指出，配合「2026台灣設計展」，市府前瞻布局進行3場國際設計交流行動，邀請國際設計大師及設計組織來台進行對話及意見交換，擴大未來國際合作網絡，提升桃園的國際能見度，實踐推動桃園成為亞洲設計中心願景。於2026台灣設計展期間，也將透過「亞洲設計名家海報展暨國際設計論壇」及系列工作坊，廣邀國內外知名設計師共同創作交流，提升城市形象與全球視野。


taiwan-subdivisions: 桃園 新北市 成功

content_text:
▲黃敬平籲桃園設「動物醫療糾紛調解平台」。（圖／市議會國民黨團提供）

記者楊淑媛／桃園報導

桃園市議員黃敬平5日於市政總質詢中指出，毛孩已成為許多家庭的重要成員，但「獸醫費用高、申訴無門」的問題仍困擾不少飼主。寵物醫療費動輒上萬元，甚至高達五、六十萬元，若飼主無法即時付清，還可能被拒發還寵物，形同「情感勒索」，建議成立「桃園市動物醫療糾紛調解平台」，讓飼主有明確管道可申訴與調解。

黃敬平說，日前有飼主在網路含淚控訴，13歲愛犬手術費用原估13萬元，最終暴增至30萬元，卻仍不幸離世，引發廣大民怨與討論。類似案例層出不窮，顯示獸醫院報價不透明、臨時加價、飼主毫無選擇空間等問題普遍存在，已嚴重侵蝕醫療信任。

他指出，現行動物醫療糾紛處理制度存在「灰色地帶」，動保處視為民事糾紛不受理，消保官又認定屬動保範疇退回，導致責任推託、民眾求助無門。雖然桃園市獸醫師公會訂有診療收費參考標準，但未強制公開，且手術費常未含藥品與材料費，實際帳單動輒翻倍，引發紛爭。

目前，新北市已率先全國設立「寵物醫療糾紛溝通平台」，由動保處、調解委員會與獸醫師公會三方組成，去年共受理11件糾紛，其中8件成功現場和解，成效顯著。他建議桃園比照辦理，成立「桃園市動物醫療糾紛調解平台」，由動保處、獸醫師公會與消保官共同組成，建立公正第三方審議與鑑定機制，並研議設立「動物醫療爭議審議委員會」，比照人醫糾紛程序，導入專業審查制度。

此外，黃敬平要求，市府應督導獸醫院公開「診療收費參考表」，於院內明顯處揭示項目與費用區間，讓飼主明確了解預估成本，避免醫療過程臨時加價、資訊不對等的情形。他強調：「透明制度是建立信任的關鍵，唯有公開資訊、完善調解，才能讓毛孩就醫環境更友善、安全。」

農業局長陳冠義回應，新北市的確以納入調解委員會模式推動，目前桃園已與動保處研議調整，現行由獸醫師公會受理糾紛案件並邀動保處參與，尊重專業判斷；同時要求各獸醫院依核定價格公告收費，如未依規定標示將依法處理，並加強宣導以提升透明度。

法務局長賴彌鼎則表示，動物醫療爭議性質屬於消費糾紛，應納入調解程序處理，建立公平合理的制度化機制。桃園可參考新北模式，由獸醫師公會、消保官與動保處三方合作，形成具公信力的調解平台。同時建議制定「動物醫療服務指引」，明確列出治療項目、流程與費用估算，讓飼主在治療前即能掌握資訊、減少糾紛。

title: 動物醫療費高漲惹紛爭　黃敬平籲桃園設「動物醫療糾紛調解平台」


taiwan-subdivisions: 新竹 臺中

content_text:
▲夢想家林俊吉。（圖／夢想家提供）

記者游郁香／綜合報導

福爾摩沙夢想家5日晚間在臺中洲際迷你蛋主場迎戰新竹御嵿攻城獅。球團本週攜手 MIZUNO TAIWAN，正式推出林俊吉首雙個人簽名球鞋「MIZUNO CITIUS DRIVE AG1」深受球迷喜愛。賽事部分，雙方一開始展現高強度攻防對手激戰，半場結束雙方平手。下半場林俊吉帶動進攻節奏，湯普金斯關鍵時刻罰球建功，最終夢想家以 82：81 奪下本季主場首勝。

夢想家本場比賽洋將湯普金斯首度登錄先發，同時李德威也以先發上陣，開賽湯普金斯就以一記三分外線為比賽開張，隨後雙方都展現出防守強度，忻沃克單節攻下7分，攻城獅微幅領先。次節開局雙方節奏加快，夢想家將比分拉近，迫使對手喊出暫停。暫停過後，攻城獅持續施壓，末段夢想家展現韌性，連續攻勢追回分差，最後以 40：40 結束上半場。

下半場開打後，雙方一路緊咬，場上進入白熱化。第三節中段，夢想家在暫停回來後，霍爾曼命中外線，將比數追至 50：56，隨後忻沃克跳出投進三分、恩尼斯也跟上，夢想家將比分逼近，在第三節最後讀秒階段，林俊吉在外線出手命中壓哨三分，幫助夢想家追平比分。

▲夢想家湯普金斯。（圖／夢想家提供）

末節，林俊吉持續發揮串聯球隊，將比分擴大到14分差，攻城獅改變防守策略，限制夢想家進攻，夢想家陷入進攻亂流，比賽最後先是攻城獅劉承勳切入追平比分，隨後夢想家邊線發球執行最後一擊，洋將湯普金斯接球後遭到犯規，兩罰一中，終場夢想家就以一分之差82：81取得本季主場首勝。

總教練簡浩賽後坦言，對手改守區域時，確實讓球隊的進攻節奏受到影響，「後續會針對這部分再去修正，讓球員在不同戰術下都能維持穩定表現。」林俊吉也分享：「在場下有發現節奏變慢，利用自己的優勢打快攻讓自己得分或製造機會給隊友」忻沃克則表示：「我有把自己的角色扮演好，今天很開心我都有執行到。」

此役多位球員表現亮眼，霍爾曼攻下18 分、9 籃板；湯普金斯 17 分、12 籃板；忻沃克13 分，外線命中率高達 6 成；恩尼斯11分、10籃板、4助攻；林俊吉10 分、2籃板、2助攻、1抄截。

▲夢想家林俊吉。（圖／夢想家提供）

title: 夢想家主場開胡！林俊吉串聯攻勢　湯普金斯關鍵罰球險退攻城獅


title: 國際火線／白宮史上最傑出傀儡師：錢尼

countries: 阿富汗 古巴 美國 伊拉克


content_text:
圖文／7Car 小七車觀點

在法國，一條看似普通的高速公路，正在改寫電動車充電的未來。A10 高速公路上長達 1.5 公里的試驗路段，成為全球首個可讓電動車在行駛中進行無線充電的公共道路。這項被命名為「Charge as you Drive」的計畫，由法國最大收費道路營運商 VINCI Autoroutes 與以色列技術公司 Electreon 共同推動，目標是到 2035 年前建設超過 9,000 公里電氣化公路，為法國電動運輸網絡開啟全新篇章。

與以往需要停車插電的補能方式不同，這套動態無線充電系統能在車輛高速行駛時持續輸電，輸出功率最高可達 325 kW，接近 Tesla 最新 V4 Supercharger 的水準，甚至超越現行 V3 版本的 250 kW。根據法國 Gustave Eiffel University 的獨立測試，這項技術在實際運作中可穩定輸出超過 200 kW 的功率峰值，更能在特定條件下突破 300 kW，相當於讓滿載貨卡在高速上行駛兩次都不需停靠充電。

目前共有四款經過改裝的電動車參與公測，包括大型貨卡、廂型車、客車與巴士，皆成功在高速行駛狀態下完成動態充電。技術原理則是透過埋設於柏油層下方的感應線圈，將電能以磁感應方式傳遞至車輛底盤的接收裝置，再轉換為電力儲入電池。Electreon 執行長 Oren Ezer 表示，這不僅是全球無線道路發展的關鍵時刻，更代表法國在綠能交通領域已跨出實際的一步。他強調：「我們的技術是目前唯一能穩定輸出高功率動態充電的方案，不僅達標，更超越了法國政府設定的目標。」

VINCI Autoroutes 執行長 Nicolas Notebaert 則指出，這項技術的導入可望顯著降低法國運輸與物流業的溫室氣體排放，目前該領域約佔全國總排放量的 16%。若未來能在主要交通幹道普及，對長途運輸車隊而言，最耗時間的「充電等待」將可能成為過去式。

Electreon 目前也在全球多地進行相似計畫，包含美國、以色列與多個歐洲國家。在美國密西根與猶他州，已有可行駛充電的實驗路段運作；以色列特拉維夫則成功展示電動巴士的高速無線充電，透過邊行駛邊補電，電池容量可從 400 kWh 大幅縮減至 42 kWh，減重近九成，讓車輛更輕盈、續航更穩定。瑞典則在 Visby 建設 1.6 公里的 Smartroad Gotland 測試道路，同樣由 Electreon 主導，用以驗證商用車在動態充電環境下的實際效能。

這項技術的潛力不僅改變充電習慣，也可能重塑整個電動車產業架構。若未來電動公路得以普及，電池容量或許不再需要過度膨脹，基礎設施壓力也可大幅減輕。法國這條 A10 試驗路段，或許只是開端，卻足以讓外界重新思考「電動車的續航焦慮」這件事是否終將成為歷史。

title: 全球首條「無線充電高速公路」法國上線！最高325kW越開電量越多

countries: 法國 美國 瑞典 以色列


title: 8連霸市民代表蘇文霸病逝家中　一生奉獻苗栗盡職到最後


title: 桃園最大市場南門市場大火　凌濤臉書發文要求市府三大應變


title: 發展南桃園　市議員吳嘉和爭設客運營運中心


title: 2026台灣設計展在桃園　張善政：跨局處展現城市創意與設計實力


title: 動物醫療費高漲惹紛爭　黃敬平籲桃園設「動物醫療糾紛調解平台」


title: 綠委提「轉大人ETF」孩子滿18領100萬　黃士修傻眼：沒文化真可怕


title: 網紅爆粿粿是「家寧翻版」！一毛錢都沒給范姜　貼文反遭狂酸


title: 彩妝控必收！嬌蘭、蘭蔻聖誕限定彩妝系列搶先看


countries: 台灣 帛琉 柬埔寨

content_text:
▲天旭集團人資主管辜淑雯遭聲押禁見。（圖／記者劉昌松攝）

記者劉昌松、黃哲民、黃資真／台北報導

由柬埔寨華人陳志主導的「太子集團控股」涉嫌跨國大規模詐欺、洗錢等重罪，台北地檢署4日查扣集團資產逾45億元，並拘提主嫌王昱棠等25名被告到案。其中人資主管辜淑雯移送北檢複訊後遭聲押。

今日聲押禁見的5人包括王昱棠、幹部凃又文、協助藏名車的助理李守禮、邱子恩，以及人資辜淑雯。另太子集團在台公司「尼爾創新」前後任負責人林楊茂、詹雯卉，以及遭美方制裁的施亭宇等17人各交保5萬至100萬元，另有2人被限制出境、出海或住居。檢方表示，將持續擴大追查集團資金流向及幕後運作。

除了在台開設多個人頭公司從事洗錢等犯罪工作外，太子集團還會招募台灣人到帛琉從事其他犯罪行為，其中黃婕、施亭宇、王蕾絢更被美方直接點名為制裁對象。

而在美方公布制裁後，太子集團在台操盤人、天旭公司高階幹部王昱棠立即聯繫部屬李守禮、邱子恩分頭將集團用來隱匿贓款的勞斯萊斯、麥拉倫、藍寶堅尼、法拉利、保時捷等名車過戶到他人名下，並試圖趁夜從原本停放和平大苑的車子連夜開走，所幸我國司法單位即時監控攔下。

在全案蒐證告一段落後，4日指揮調查局台北市調處、刑事局、台北市警多個分局分47路搜索相關公司及被告住處，拘提王昱棠等25名被告、通知10名證人到案。北檢昨（4日）晚間複訊後，諭知天旭工程師張芷寧20萬、天旭總經理特助劉純妤15萬元，其餘7名被告5萬元至70萬元交保。

title: 快訊／幫太子集團詐騙洗錢45億　「人資長」辜淑雯聲押禁見


title: 快訊／幫太子集團詐騙洗錢45億　「人資長」辜淑雯聲押禁見

countries: 帛琉 柬埔寨 台灣


title: KIA「小改款Sportage」輕偽裝車台灣捕獲！全新造型預計年底發表

content_text:
圖文／7Car 小七車觀點

現行 Kia Sportage 車系自 2022 年 6 月在國內上市以來，截至今年 7 月已售出超過萬輛，原廠在 2024 年 11 月推出了小改款版本，近日本站接獲不願具名的讀者投稿，表示拍攝到小改款 Sportage 的輕度偽裝車正在進行路試，編輯部預料有望在今年底發表。

▲本站接獲不願具名的讀者投稿，表示拍攝到小改款 Sportage 的輕度偽裝車正在進行路試，編輯部預料有望在今年底發表。

小改款 Sportage 在外觀方面換上與 Sorento、EV6 和 EV9 等車款相同的新世代 Opposites United 家族設計語彙，其日行燈取消現行的回力鏢造型，改採用星圖設計概念的設計，同時引擎蓋、水箱護罩的樣子均較現行款有所不同。而在車尾部分，則可以看到尾燈造型相較於現行款強調的銳利感不同，導入了 ㄈ 字形搭配橫向的 LED 光條組合，至於後保險桿造型也進行細部上的調整。

▲小改款 Sportage 的日行燈取消現行的回力鏢造型，改採用星圖設計概念的設計，同時引擎蓋、水箱護罩的樣子均較現行款有所差異。

▲尾燈造型相較於現行款強調的銳利感不同，導入了 ㄈ 字形搭配橫向的 LED 光條組合，至於後保險桿造型也進行細部上的調整。

內裝配備方面，根據海外市場的資料，小改款 Sportage 導入與新世代 K4 相同的雙幅式造型方向盤，搭配雙 12.3 吋液晶螢幕，冷氣出風口造型也與現行款不同。配備上，則是新增 Baby & Toddler 模式。啟動後，車輛會主動選用更為平滑的加速感，讓車內後方的嬰兒減少晃動造成的不適感。且為了提升車內乘坐舒適感，前懸吊系統亦經過重新調校，B 柱和門板還採用更多的吸音材質。

▲小改款 Sportage 導入與新世代 K4 相同的雙幅式造型方向盤，搭配雙 12.3 吋液晶螢幕，冷氣出風口造型也與現行款不同。

動力配置部分，小改款 Sportage 在南韓市場將 1.6L 渦輪增壓 4 缸引擎取消原有的 7 速雙離合器變速箱，改採用 8 速自排的設定；歐規則維持既有變速系統，美規提供了渦輪油電混合版本，可輸出 232hp 最大馬力。至於國內市場實際引進的配置，本站將持續追蹤，敬請鎖定。

▲小改款 Sportage 在南韓市場將 1.6L 渦輪增壓 4 缸引擎取消原有的 7 速雙離合器變速箱，改採用 8 速自排的設定；歐規則維持既有變速系統，美規提供了渦輪油電混合版本，可輸出 232hp 最大馬力。

countries: 台灣 日本


countries: 法國 以色列 瑞典 美國

title: 全球首條「無線充電高速公路」法國上線！最高325kW越開電量越多


title: 林昀儒5局大戰險勝篠塚大登　連3年闖進WTT法蘭克福16強

content_text:
▲林昀儒5局激戰險勝篠塚大登，晉級16強。（圖／翻攝自微博／WTT世界乒聯，下同）

記者游郁香／綜合報導

台灣桌球一哥林昀儒晚間在2025年WTT法蘭克福冠軍賽首輪登場，歷經5局激戰、耗時43分鐘，以3比2力退日本好手篠塚大登，連續第3年闖進此站16強。接下來他將對上南韓名將李尚洙，爭奪8強門票。

林昀儒目前排名世界第11，對手篠塚大登年僅21歲，是日本新生代好手之一，名列世界第29，兩人曾在去年的團體世錦賽交鋒過，當時雙方纏鬥了5局，才由小林險勝，5日晚間再戰，小林首局後段連掉4分，以8比11遭到反超讓出。

第2局，小林迅速調整節奏，以11比4扳回一城。第3局克服2比6落後的不利局面，逼出對手暫停後再打出6比0反擊，以11比6，總局數2比1率先聽牌。但對手韌性十足，第4局打出5比2的開局，並一路保持領先，以11比9將戰局扳平。

進入決勝第5局，小林打出3比0攻勢，有了好的開始，但關鍵的中後段被扳成7比7，一度還因發球失誤變成7比8落後，好在喊出暫停調整後及時穩住，兩人一路纏鬥至9比9。最後時刻，小林正手發力，偷長球策略也奏效，最終以11比9驚險鎖勝。

小林下一輪將對上世界排名第25的南韓名將李尚洙，兩人過去3度交手，小林2勝1敗略佔上風。小林2023年曾在法蘭克福封王，今年能否重返榮耀，備受矚目。


taiwan-subdivisions: 臺中 新竹

title: 夢想家主場開胡！林俊吉串聯攻勢　湯普金斯關鍵罰球險退攻城獅


title: 深入挖掘，智能思考：Caterpillar 為 CES 主題演講舞台帶來重磅創新

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行政總裁 Joe Creed 闡述 Caterpillar 從傳統設備製造商轉型為高科技創新企業的策略與方案

維珍尼亞州阿靈頓2025年11月6日 /美通社/ — Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® 宣佈，Caterpillar 行政總裁 Joe Creed 將於全球最具影響力的科技盛事 CES 2026 擔任主題演講嘉賓。Caterpillar 結合其百年經驗與頂尖科技，重新定義重型設備的功能，為客戶在挖掘、採礦、建築、發電和發展方面，創造全新、更佳、更安全的營運模式。Caterpillar 將發布其在人工智能 (AI)、機器學習和自動化功能方面的最新發展，並宣佈多項創新成果、合作夥伴關係及投資項目。

「CES 是創新者雲集、大膽構思得以實踐的地方。」CTA 行政總裁兼副主席 Gary Shapiro 表示，「我非常高興歡迎行政總裁 Joe Creed 和 Caterpillar 登上 CES 主題演講舞台，展示科技如何革新我們的建造方式。」

Caterpillar 於 2025 年喜迎一百週年，並將利用 CES 2026 的主題演講，以明確的科技焦點，開啟下一個百年。Creed 將聯同公司其他數碼及科技主管，闡述如何利用嶄新科技方法滿足當今需求、預視未來挑戰，並為客戶持續創造價值。從工地到數據，Caterpillar 將分享其在自動化機械方面的演進歷程，以及 AI 對整個行業帶來的實質影響。Caterpillar 同樣為員工配備先進的科技工具，讓他們能更專注於客戶服務、產品開發和提升營運效率。

「我們正建基於深厚的創新傳統，迅速以嶄新方式擴展我們的科技能力，協助客戶解決最嚴峻的挑戰。」Creed 表示，「CES 是展示 Caterpillar 作為工業設備領域先進科技領導者的絕佳平台，足證我們的專業知識不僅限於機械操作，更涵蓋能夠預測、演進和優化客戶效益的智能系統及整合式數碼平台，共創更美好的明天。」

Creed 在集團多個部門任職近 30 年，對多元化的營運和策略機遇有深刻理解，這對鞏固 Caterpillar 的全球領導地位至關重要。在公司邁進第二個世紀之際，他致力傳承公司深厚的傳統，積極善用推動未來發展的科技，並專注於 Caterpillar 最大的競爭優勢——其人才。

「我期待 Caterpillar 在 CES 帶來一場充滿活力的主題演講，在我們建設世界的同時，探索 AI 的變革性力量與潛力。」CTA 總裁 Kinsey Fabrizio 表示，「我們迫不及待想看到 Caterpillar 如何推動移動技術生態系統向前發展。」

Creed 將於 1 月 7 日（星期三）上午 9 時，在威尼斯人酒店 (the Venetian) 的 Palazzo 宴會廳發表主題演講。AMD 的蘇姿豐博士、Havas 及 Vivendi 的 Yannick Bolloré，以及 Lenovo 的楊元慶亦將於 CES 2026 發表主題演講。

歡迎親臨拉斯維加斯會議中心西廳 5019 號 Caterpillar 展位，體驗未來科技。立即登記 CES 2026，深入了解科技如何變革各行各業。

關於 CES®：CES 是全球最具影響力科技盛會，也是突破性科技與全球創新者的聚會。這裡是全球最大品牌開展業務和結識新合作夥伴的地方，也是最頂尖創新者登台亮相的地方。CES 由消費者技術協會 (CTA)® 擁有和主辦，展示各科技領域的創新與發展。CES 2026 將於 1 月 6 日至 9 日在拉斯維加斯舉行。請瀏覽 CES.tech 了解詳情，並於社交平台關注 CES。

關於 Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®：作為北美最大的技術貿易協會，CTA 正是科技業界本身。我們的成員是全球領先創新者——從初創公司到全球品牌——協助支持超過 1800 萬個美國就業機會。CTA 擁有和舉辦 CES®－全球最具影響力科技盛會。請瀏覽 CTA.tech，認識本會。關注本會 @CTAtech。


countries: 菲律賓 馬利 美國

title: DXC 在菲律賓開設首個客戶體驗中心，擴大亞洲業務版圖，並推動合作與人工智能創新

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策略投資表示區內擁有深厚技術人才，加速向客戶提供以人工智能為先服務

維珍尼亞州阿什本2025年11月5日 /美通社/ — DXC Technology （紐約證券交易所代號：DXC）是財富美國 500 強全球領先科技服務提供商，宣佈全新客戶體驗中心啟用。該中心協助 DXC 的客戶、合作夥伴與員工合作，從而加強 DXC 對菲律賓客戶與業務成長的長遠承諾。

該中心位於馬尼拉大都會達義市，科技與創新的領先目的地。它旨在提升客戶參與度，促進 DXC 的菲律賓 7,000 名員工合作，並加速提供創新人工智能驅動解決方案。此新空間位於 DXC 的菲律賓全球交付中心內，將建基於支援關鍵任務應用程式、雲端、基礎設施和網絡安全服務的角色，而作為客戶與合作夥伴的共同創作中心。

DXC 的人工智能優先策略實現，包括最近發佈的新一代人工智能編排藍圖 Xponential。該中心特設人工智能孵化樞紐，專注發展和部署結合人工智能與傳統企業科技服務的新一代解決方案。它還特設人工智能優先兼全年無休安全操作中心，並將作為監察、偵測和應付 DXC 全球客戶群潛在安全威脅的中央樞紐。

DXC 顧問及工程服務總監 Ramnath Venkataraman 表示：「該中心充份利用 DXC 的優點，即菲律賓優秀人才，以及我們的客戶越來越專注人工智能驅動解決方案。這是 DXC 的策略創新引擎，展現我們如何與全球客戶合作，而帶領整個轉型和迎接未來挑戰。」

DXC 菲律賓全球交付中心現作為 DXC Technology 的 SAP 卓越中心，也是最集中該公司全球 SAP 能力與專業知識的地方。SAP 於菲律賓聘任超過 1800 名顧問，而該團隊支援全球超過 350 個企業客戶和帳戶。

DXC 已與 Baby and Moms PH 合作，向馬利金納市工業谷綜合體 (IVC) 的高中生捐贈翻新筆記型電腦，並作為客戶體驗中心正式啟用與 DXC 數碼未來計劃的一部份。該計劃旨在幫助數千名學生自力更生，而改善他們的科技、知識、教育和就業機會。

IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines 主席兼行政總裁 Jack Madrid 表示：「我讚賞 DXC 的菲律賓 7000 人強大團隊，持續發展。您致力不斷提升和再培訓菲律賓數碼工作者的革新科技（例如代理型人工智能）技能，這是菲律賓作為 IT-BPM 目的地持續成功的關鍵。感謝 DXC 對業界的承諾，並建設菲律賓成為數碼客戶體驗之都。」

過去數十載，DXC 在菲律賓保持強大影響力，並支援主要行業（例如客戶及零售、製造、保險、銀行、汽車和公共部門等）的客戶。全新客戶體驗中心體現 DXC 對菲律賓人才、創新和客戶成功的長遠承諾，並加強 DXC 的人工智能優先交付網絡。此前，DXC 已在底特律、哈利法斯和布宜諾斯艾利斯開設分支機構，並在華沙設立人工智能能力中心。如欲查看更多資料，請瀏覽 www.dxc.com。

關於 DXC Technology

DXC Technology（紐約證券交易所代號：DXC）是全球領先資訊科技服務提供者。我們是全球許多最創新機構的可靠營運合作夥伴，致力建立推動產業和公司前進的解決方案。我們的工程、顧問與科技專家協助客戶簡化、最佳化及現代化系統與流程，管理最關鍵工作負載，整合人工智能驅動智能至營運，並以安全和可靠為先。如欲了解更多，請瀏覽 dxc.com。


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隆重推出邁阿密首個 Nobu 住宅項目兼第二間 Nobu 餐廳

紐約2025年11月5日 /美通社/ — Nobu Hospitality 自豪地宣佈品牌在邁阿密的首個住宅項目，並在比斯坎灣沿岸成為新的建築標誌。此開創性項目由 13th Floor Investments 與 Key International 攜手打造，為 Nobu 品牌開啟嶄新篇章——精緻設計、頂級服務與現代日式奢華精髓，在匠人手中完美交融，共同成就這處非凡之地。

坐落於邁阿密活力四射的布里克爾區核心地帶，74 層高的 619 Brickell 大廈將提供 300戶精心設計的住宅單位，以及 90,000 平方英尺的專屬設施空間。此開發項目將設有提供全方位服務的奢華水療與健康度假中心、頂尖健身中心，以及寧靜的池畔咖啡廳。每個空間皆精心打造，完美詮釋 Nobu 品牌低調優雅、自然簡約的美學理念，運用天然材質搭配無懈可擊的服務品質。

物業底層將揭幕邁阿密第二間 Nobu 餐廳，與知名的邁阿密海灘分店並列。餐廳將以獨特的圓形設計和令人嘆為觀止的水景，成為城市最具代表性的餐飲目的地之一。住宅和餐廳，將在家庭和酒店之間建立無縫聯繫。

這座塔由世界知名建築公司 Foster + Partners 與 Sieger-Suarez Architects 合作設計，將 Nobu 的簡約日本感與邁阿密天際線的動態節奏共冶一爐。結果是永恆和諧的表現：流暢、現代化，與海濱環境深深相連。從精心挑選的材料以至寬敞的露台，每項細節都反映了 Nobu 重視意義、平衡和美感的生活哲學。

「619 Brickell 代表著 Nobu 生活理念的全新進化，」Nobu Hospitality 行政總裁 Trevor Horwell 表示：「此大廈結合了我們對工藝、設計完整性和卓越的服務的承諾，以創造真正身臨其境的住宅體驗。邁阿密的能量和文化活力實屬這里程碑項目的完美環境。」

在一份聯合聲明中，13th Floor Investments 管理合夥人 Arnaud Karsenti 以及 Key International 聯席總裁 Inigo Ardid 表示：

「我們深感榮幸能與 Nobu Hospitality 及 Foster + Partners 攜手合作，在布里克爾核心地帶打造這項非凡項目。619 Brickell 完美融合設計、服務與生活方式——Nobu 世界級的待客之道與卓越服務承諾，將此處的居住體驗提升至全新境界。我們正共同打造一幢彰顯邁阿密精緻品味與蓬勃活力的地標性目的地，並期待在不久的將來揭開其面紗。」

title: NOBU HOSPITALITY 與 FOSTER + PARTNERS 聯合宣佈 619 BRICKELL 項目


title: 市場消化經濟數據　歐股收高

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〔中央社〕歐元區（Eurozone）10月服務業加速擴張，投資人消化一系列最新經濟數據，歐洲股市主要指數今天收高。

倫敦FTSE 100指數上漲62.12點或0.64%，收9777.08點。

法蘭克福DAX指數揚升100.63點或0.42%，收24049.74點。

巴黎CAC 40指數上揚6.70點或0.08%，收8074.23點。（編譯：陳正健）1141106

一手掌握經濟脈動 點我訂閱自由財經Youtube頻道

免費訂閱《自由體育》電子報熱門賽事、球星動態不漏接


title: 紐西蘭國會議員挺台遭中國大使致函訓斥 議員曝「這種情況相當常見」

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我駐紐西蘭代表處10月7日在紐國首都威靈頓舉行114年國慶酒會，共有11位紐西蘭國會議員及3位地方首長到場。（取自駐紐西蘭台北經濟文化辦事處官網）

紐西蘭媒體披露，中國駐紐國大使王小龍致函「訓斥」（scolded）多位參加台灣國慶慶祝活動的國會議員，但大多數議員拒絕對此發表任何評論，凸顯紐中關係的異常敏感，以及中國干預紐西蘭政治的程度。

紐西蘭新聞網站Stuff在3日披露，王小龍在信中寫道：「國會議員是紐西蘭的政治代表，因此理應遵循本國外交政策行事。」而參加台灣國慶活動「與紐西蘭的『一中承諾』（one-China commitment）不符，因此不可接受。」並警告「此類舉動將不可避免地削弱彼此信任。」

據了解，這封信只寄給實際出席台灣國慶活動的議員。擔心遭報復而不願具名的國會內部消息人士指出，這封信同時暴露出中國政府如何監控紐西蘭民眾，並蒐集支持台灣人士的相關資訊。

他們還提到，有人疑似受中國或與中共相關團體指派，試圖恐嚇挺台人士或破壞關於台灣獨立的討論。

Stuff旗下調查節目「The Long Game」此前曾披露，中共在紐西蘭的影響滲透行動中，曾出現民宅被投擲狗糞、甚至發生人身攻擊的案例。

然而，願意公開談論此事的議員極少。Stuff最初是在勞工黨議員韋柏（Duncan Webb）上傳信件至網路後才得知此事，但他隨後刪除貼文，並拒絕在記者詢問時受訪。

我駐紐西蘭代表處10月7日在紐國首都威靈頓舉行114年國慶酒會，共有11位紐西蘭國會議員及3位地方首長到場。對於紐西蘭支持台海和平且反對以武力脅迫改變現狀的態度，駐紐西蘭代表歐江安在酒會致詞時表示感謝。

紐西蘭跨黨派「對中政策跨國議會聯盟」（IPAC）共同主席穆尼（Joseph Mooney）拒絕對此發表評論，國家黨議員也不願多談。另一位曾訪問台灣的勞工黨議員尤齊力（Tangi Utikere）則僅回應：「我能說的是，中國大使館致函給曾經訪問台灣或參加相關活動的議員，這種情況相當常見。」

唯一願意談論此事的，是同為IPAC成員的行動黨（ACT）議員麥克魯（Laura McClure）。她表示，中共不應試圖控制紐西蘭的民選代表，「中國共產黨沒有權力決定紐西蘭國會議員能與誰會面。國會是主權機構，在我們的民主制度下，議員有自由行使自己判斷的權利。」「或許在中國不是這樣，但在紐西蘭，中國大使應該尊重我們國會的獨立性。」

紐西蘭外交部長皮特斯（Winston Peters）表示，王小龍犯下「不該犯的錯誤」，國會議員出席台灣國慶活動，並未違反紐西蘭外交政策。皮特斯說，中國政府不是第一次向紐國議員施壓，他有機會時會向王小龍闡述「民主的本質」，「我會確保他能更理解」。

麥克魯則重申，議員有權討論各種議題與參加活動，即使政府未必贊同，中國大使應該明白國會與政府的區別。

麥克魯還爆料，中共官員最近還與紐西蘭毛利黨（Maori Party）共同主席維迪提（Rawiri Waititi）會面，討論「毛利與中國的直接關係」，「我希望他們知道，維迪提先生並不代表紐西蘭政府或其貿易與外交立場。」

countries: 紐西蘭 中國 台灣


title: 桃園南門市場遇火劫 市長張善政漏夜發聲曝災情

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桃園市桃園區最大的傳統市場南門市場，昨晚（5日）遭遇火劫，精華區幾乎全毁，市長張善政今天凌晨在臉書發文說，南門市場陪伴許多桃園人長大，如今被火焰吞噬，令人相當不捨。

張善政說，南門市場火勢一度猛烈，消防局第一時間封鎖周邊，全力搶救，避免延燒，他接獲通報後，指示消防局強化救援，同步啟動跨局處應變機制，由警察、環保、經發等單位掌握現場安全與後續復原狀況。

他說，經過數小時搶救，約於昨晚11點50分控制火勢，初步研判，市場約3分之2區域受損，情況相當嚴重，他已要求經發局與桃園區公所今早召開緊急會議，盤點受災攤商，整合各局處資源，研擬中繼與重建方案。


countries: 中國 法國 新加坡

title: 巴黎實體店面開幕引發抗議 法政府宣布Shein電商平台暫停營運

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中國電子商務巨擘Shein（希音）5日在巴黎BHV百貨開設全球首家永久實體店，開業當天即引發強烈抗議。（路透）

《法廣》報導，中國電子商務巨擘Shein（希音）5日在巴黎BHV百貨開設全球首家永久實體店，但開業這天即引發強烈抗議。Shein近期因販售具有兒童外貌的情趣娃娃而陷入輿論風暴，法國政府已對此展開司法調查，並宣布暫停其電商平台營運。

在警方戒備下，環保團體與工會成員5日聚集在BHV百貨公司外，抗議Shein象徵著「快時尚污染」和「社會不公」。1名抗議者表示：「我們拒絕像Shein這樣的企業，它毀掉就業、地球和法國人的健康。」

法國國會的1個進口產品檢查調查小組3日宣布，將傳喚Shein高層出席質詢。該小組報告員維莫黑—馬克（Antoine Vermorel-Marques）表示，任何經濟行為者都不能自視高於法律，如果1家零售商販售這類商品，其門市會立即被下令關閉，Shein必須作出說明。

根據法國法律，透過電子通訊網路傳播兒童色情內容，可被判處最高7年徒刑，並處以最高10萬歐元（約355萬台幣）罰款。

法國經濟部長勒斯鳩（Roland Lescure）3日證實，因Shein平台曾出售具有兒童外貌的情趣娃娃，法國司法調查已經展開，並警告「若此類行為再發生，將要求暫停Shein進入法國市場」。

法國成衣聯合會副主任勒迪努瓦（Thibaut Ledunois）批評：「這不是我們想要的社會。整個成衣行業都在受害，我們已反對這種『超快時尚』模式已經很多年了。」

與此同時，共和黨議員韋爾莫雷爾-馬克（Antoine Vermorel-Marques）揭露，他在Shein網站上發現可自由購買的A類武器，包括指節銅套與長刀，並已向檢察機關舉報。

隨著事態持續升級。法國總理勒克努（Sébastien Lecornu）5日宣布，政府已啟動暫停Shein在法國營運的程序，直至平台全面符合法國法律與監管要求，並要求相關部門在48小時內提交首份評估報告。

Shein於2012年在中國成立，目前總部設於新加坡，主要透過手機應用程式吸引消費者，迅速崛起為全球快時尚領導品牌，商品銷往150個國家，但也長期遭到勞工待遇與環境污染問題的批評。