Taipei: Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmakers on Tuesday blocked a bill authorizing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) from being placed on the agenda for Friday’s Legislative Yuan plenary session. The special budget was approved by the Cabinet last Thursday to fund major weapons

Taipei: The Taiwan government on Tuesday congratulated St. Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his ruling Labour Party (SLP) on securing a majority in Monday’s general election, putting Pierre on course for another term in office. Voters in the Caribbean nation elected all 17 members of the House of

Taipei: Taiwan is “not just a victim” of Chinese intimidation and coercion, but a proactive partner that can contribute to regional stability and the broader international community, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said in a recent interview with American podcast host Natalie Winters. The interview, recorded at the Presidential Office and

Chiayi: A caregiver of Indonesian nationality has been handed a six-month prison sentence, convertible to a fine, by the Chiayi District Court for abandoning a helpless patient. Cicih Nurhayati, the defendant, will be deported after serving her term, according to the verdict released last Thursday. The case can be appealed.

Taipei: The Legislature on Tuesday passed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act that, for the first time, define workplace bullying and require employers to take steps to prevent it. Workplace bullying is defined as repeated harassment, threats, isolation, insults or other inappropriate conduct carried out by someone using

Taipei: The Legislature on Tuesday approved a special budget of NT$27 billion (US$859 million) to rebuild areas in Hualien County affected by flooding due to the overflow of Matai’an Creek’s barrier lake in September. According to Focus Taiwan, the budget was passed without any dissent, maintaining the proposed NT$27 billion