Ministry to Review Drone Training Hours for Reservists: Koo
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced a review of the two‑hour drone‑operation refresher course for reservists after DPP legislators argued it is insufficient. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the ministry will assess whether to extend training time and improve quality, especially for personnel previously assigned to drone units. The review follows the course’s introduction in October 2025 and broader efforts to align reservist training with advanced weapon systems like HIMARS. Koo also emphasized returning reservists to their original units for specialty refreshers.
Live-Fire Drill in Kinmen Simulates Defense Against Beach Landing
Taiwan’s Kinmen islands hosted a live‑fire exercise on [date] that simulated a hostile beach landing, replicating a potential amphibious assault by the People’s Liberation Army. The drill employed coastal artillery, anti‑ship missiles, and fighter jets to strike mock landing craft, while...
Paraguayan President Affirms Ties with Taiwan, Calls for More Investment
Paraguayan President Santiago Pérez Cáceres used a state visit to Taipei to reaffirm his country’s official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, announcing a new round of high‑level agreements and promising further investment. The meeting, his fourth trip to the island, underscores Paraguay’s commitment...
President Lai Visits Taiwan-Backed Projects in Eswatini
President Lai’s visit to Eswatini highlighted Taiwan’s growing footprint in Africa, as the head of state inspected two flagship projects funded by Taipei – a solar‑energy plant and an agro‑processing facility. The tour underscored the diplomatic outreach that Taiwan pursues...
Taiwan Suspends President Lai’s Eswatini Trip, Cites China Pressure
President Lai Ching‑te halted his scheduled state visit to Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole African diplomatic ally, after three countries along the flight path—Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar—suddenly revoked overflight clearance. The Presidential Office attributed the revocation to “strong pressure” and economic coercion...
Scars and Strength: Foreign Nationals Surviving Domestic Abuse in Taiwan
The video highlights the plight of foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens who suffer domestic violence, exposing how language barriers and cultural unfamiliarity impede access to protection. Although Taiwan pioneered the Domestic Violence Prevention Act in 1998, data show roughly 2,000 foreign‑spouse...
Thousands Run, Cycle Across Danjiang Bridge Before It Opens
Taiwan’s newly built Danjiang Bridge opened briefly for public events before its official May 12 launch, drawing about 7,000 runners on Saturday and 2,500 cyclists on Sunday. The bridge, under construction since 2019, will become the world’s longest‑span single‑mast asymmetric cable‑stayed...
Taiwanese Comic Artists to Attend Manga-Comic-Con in Germany
Taiwanese comic artists Wu Shi‑shan and Rice Dumpling will represent Taiwan at Manga‑Comic‑Con 2026 in Leipzig, Germany, under the theme “Taiwan Comics, Flavor Remix.” The Ministry of Culture will showcase 15 award‑winning titles with English and German preview editions, while German...
Real Regular Wages Post Highest January Growth in 11 Years
Taiwan's real regular wages surged 2.9% year‑over‑year in January, marking the fastest monthly increase in 11 years and the largest month‑on‑month gain in 16 years. After inflation adjustment, real wages rose 2.18%, the strongest pace since 2016, while the median...
Fire at Hsinchu Power Substation Kills 1, Injures 2 (Update)
A fire erupted at the Zhuyuan Extra High Voltage Substation in Hsinchu City on March 16, killing one worker and injuring two others. The blaze broke out while voltage‑stabilization equipment was being tested, prompting a rapid response from the Hsinchu...
Taiwan Military Official Denies Delay in Delivery of MQ-9Bs
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the first two of four MQ‑9B SkyGuardian drones will arrive in the second half of 2026, adhering to the original schedule. Ground‑control stations are being built to operate the drones once delivered. The...
Matsu Faces Labor Shortage Amid Ultra-Low Unemployment
Matsu islands face a severe labor shortage as unemployment sits at a record‑low 0.1 percent, far beneath Taiwan’s 3.38 percent average. Over half of the local workforce is employed by government agencies, leaving the private sector with a thin talent...
Sports Stars Among Nominees for PTS Board of Directors
The Ministry of Culture released a second list of nominees for the eighth board of Taiwan’s publicly funded broadcaster, Public Television Service (PTS). The slate includes former baseball star Peng Cheng‑min and gymnast Lee Chih‑kai alongside leaders from online education,...
Lawmakers Give Cabinet Nod to Sign LOAs for 4 U.S. Weapons Systems
Taiwan's legislature is set to empower the Cabinet to sign Letters of Offer and Acceptance for four U.S. weapons systems—M109A7 self‑propelled howitzers, Javelin anti‑armor missiles, TOW 2B missiles and HIMARS—completing a US$11.1 billion arms package announced in December. The three systems have...
Ban on New Pet Raccoons, Crocodiles to Take Effect May 1
Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture announced that, effective May 1, new ownership of raccoons, saltwater crocodiles, vipers and elapid snakes will be prohibited. Existing owners must register these animals with local authorities within a year or face fines of NT$50,000‑250,000 and possible...