September 11, 2025

Special Defense Budget to Enhance Taiwan’s Wartime Resilience: Minister

Taipei: The NT$113.2 billion (US$3.47 billion) allocated for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in a proposed NT$550 billion special budget is set to extend Taiwan’s wartime reserves from 30 days to 120 days if it receives legislative approval, Defense Minister Wellington Koo announced on Thursday. The budget, unveiled by

Supreme Court Upholds 6-Year Sentence for Human Trafficker in Taiwan

Taipei: Taiwan’s Supreme Court upheld a prison sentence of six years and four months for a man who trafficked five Taiwanese people to work in fraud rings in Myanmar. The Supreme Court ruling confirmed Hsiao Yung-ping’s prison term from a March Taiwan High Court verdict but ordered a retrial of

Jilted Thai Woman Who Flushed Hamsters Down Toilet Indicted

Taichung: The Taichung District Prosecutors Office has indicted a Thai woman for flushing 10 pet hamsters down a toilet following a breakup with her Taiwanese boyfriend. According to Focus Taiwan, the woman, identified only as Promin, shared four video clips of the incident on Instagram on August 27. Prosecutors revealed

Ocean Affairs Council Requests NT$29.56 Billion for Maritime Enhancement

Taipei: The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) announced its request for NT$29.56 billion (US$973.55 million) under a special budget to fund the construction of 40 new patrol vessels and enhancements to maritime surveillance capabilities. According to Focus Taiwan, the Cabinet revealed a NT$550 billion budget proposal earlier, which includes the OAC’s

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Arrives in Prague to Promote Cultural Exchange

Prague: Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has arrived in the Czech Republic to attend an exhibition opening, marking the first stop on his European tour aimed at enhancing cultural ties. The visit is part of the broader “Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025” campaign, which seeks to strengthen the cultural and