Articles by Hollie Younger
Taiwan hepatitis certification still on track: official
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source A cluster of hepatitis C cases in New Taipei City would not affect the timeline for Taiwan’s application for WHO certification, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said yesterday. Earlier this year, Taipei submitted its Taiwan Hepatitis C Elimination Report to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office for a “gold tier” status for its efforts to eliminate hepatitis C ahead of the WHO’s 2030 global target.
Hepatitis cluster unlikely to affect WHO bid, health ministry says
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The early detection of a cluster of 11 hepatitis C cases in New Taipei City and treatment of those infected should not affect the timeline for Taiwan’s application for WHO certification, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said today.
Taiwan to announce at least US$20bn in US chip investments: Lutnick
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Taiwan is next week expected to announce that it plans to invest an additional US$20 billion to US$30 billion in the US as part of a bilateral trade agreement centered on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and energy, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said yesterday.
57 indicted in NT$900m AI romance scam
By Wu Sheng-ju, Chiu Chun-fu and Hollie Younger / Staff reporters, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source A husband and wife have been indicted for running a fake romance pig-butchering scam using voice-altering technology that allegedly lured more than 20,000 people into losing more than NT$900 million (US$28.34 million), the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said today.
Ministry upping patrols, encouraging dialogue to prevent student drug use
By Rachel Lin and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source As the new school year began on Monday, the Ministry of Education today announced its latest measures to counter drug use among students, with a particular focus on new drugs such as etomidate.
Experts warn Taiwan to accelerate climate efforts after UN report
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Taiwan must accelerate its push to zero emissions, experts said today, after the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report documenting how the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C is becoming increasingly difficult to attain given current emissions trajectories and policies.
《TAIPEI TIMES》 Ex-health ministry worker indicted in espionage case
The entrance to the Ciaotou District Prosecutors’ Office in Kaohsiung is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Wu Cheng-feng, Taipei Times By Chen Wen-chan and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Prosecutors have indicted a former Ministry of Health and Welfare associate researcher for their alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage scheme involving former CTi News anchor and YouTuber Lin Chen-you （林宸佑）. 請繼續往下閱讀...
Ministry escalates anti-fraud efforts
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) yesterday said it is working with Meta, Google, Line and TikTok to counter scams that use artificial intelligence (AI) by using real-time intelligence sharing and countermeasures to stop fraud at the source.
Ex-health ministry worker indicted in espionage case
By Chen Wen-chan and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Prosecutors have indicted a former Ministry of Health and Welfare associate researcher for their alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage scheme involving former CTi News anchor and YouTuber Lin Chen-you (林宸佑).
Man arrested at Nanshijiao Station for carrying knives on MRT
By Lu Yun-feng and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source A man was arrested this morning after police received a report at 7pm yesterday that he was suspected to be carrying camping knives in his backpack while riding on the Orange Line in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和).
90% of teachers asked to take extra classes, union finds
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source About 40 percent of teachers experience “extreme fatigue,” while 90 percent have been required to take on extra teaching hours, a survey by the National Substitute Teachers Union found today. Elementary and middle schools have been struggling with teacher shortages in recent years due to Taiwan’s declining birthrate and structural changes in the education sector.
Taiwanese investment in China fell 59% last year: SEF
By Chen Yu-fu and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Taiwanese investment in China fell by 59 percent last year from 2024, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) said in an interview yesterday with the Liberty Times (sister paper of Taipei Times). It fell a further 30 percent in the first half of this year, with 360 businesses returning to Taiwan to invest as of last month, he said.
Ex-MOHW researcher indicted in Chinese espionage case
By Chen Wen-chan and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Prosecutors have indicted a former Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) associate researcher over alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage scheme involving former CTi News anchor and YouTuber Lin Chen-you (林宸佑).
Police officers indicted for leaking personal data for NT$7m in bribes
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Two Taipei police officers have been indicted after allegedly leaking 901 sets of personal data to a criminal enterprise in exchange for more than NT$7 million (US$220,782) in bribes, the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said today. The office concluded its investigation into the two officers, one surnamed Liu (劉) from the Nangang precinct and another, surnamed Cheng (鄭), who had retired from the Wanhua precinct.
Healthy Taiwan committee suggests ‘health coin’ expansions
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Experts yesterday suggested expanding the proposed “health coin” program to reward quitting addictions and offset healthcare fees, as the government gears up to launch the preventative healthcare initiative in October.
China pulls artists over ‘Taiwan’ name dispute at Gwangju Biennale
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing (戴兵) yesterday expressed Beijing’s disapproval of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation agreeing to allow Taiwan’s exhibitors to use the name “Taiwan” at the 16th Gwangju Biennale, and ordered Chinese artists to pull out of the exhibition, South Korean media reported today.
MOE releases Xiaohongshu anti-fraud lesson plan
By Rachel Lin and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The Ministry of Education (MOE) today released a lesson plan teaching students how to avoid scams on online platforms such as the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu (小紅書, also known as RedNote).
Record 244 Chinese ships spotted around Taiwan last month: report
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source A record 244 Chinese coast guard, scientific research and other ships were detected in waters around Taiwan last month, up from 55 in June and 30 in May, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said in an article published today by Radio France Internationale. An average of almost eight Chinese ships were detected per day last month, about 60 percent of which were coast guard ships, the article said.
《TAIPEI TIMES》 Amendement waiving tuition for some passes
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu announces the passage of amendments to education-related laws at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times EQUAL ACCESS: The amendment aids students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to attain university educations, waiving tuition and some other costs By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA 請繼續往下閱讀...
Minister urges sports associations to manage debt amid Jones Cup controversy
By Hsu Yung-ching and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Minister of Sports Lee Yang (李洋) today said the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) has been urged not to undermine Taiwan’s credibility in international competitions, after a Taiwanese team advanced to the semi-finals of the 45th William Jones Cup over the Philippines last week due to a controversial new rule guaranteeing a semi-final place to the host team.
KMT lawmaker released on NT$2 million bail
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng (陳雪生) was this morning released on bail of NT$2 million (US$62,757) after yesterday being questioned over allegations that he pressured state-run CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) to prematurely terminate a contract with a shipping company and used friends and relatives to fraudulently claim assistant fees.
Pet owners can win vouchers, health checkups in registration drive
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Cat and dog owners who register their pets and confirm their information from Sept. 1 to 30 would be eligible to win one of 30,000 NT$300 vouchers to spend on their pets and be entered into a lottery draw to win one of 100 pet health checkups worth up to NT$3,000 each, the Ministry of Agriculture said today. Owners who have registered their pets at any point before Sept.
Lawmakers pass tuition waiver for economically disadvantaged students
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Legislative Yuan today passed amendments to waive tuition fees for higher education students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fewer homes vacant last year across Taiwan
By Hsu Yi-ping and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source In the latter half of last year, about 9.4 percent of homes in Taiwan were vacant, down from 10.4 percent in the first half of the year and from 9.8 percent during the same period in 2024, a Ministry of the Interior report showed. The ministry assesses how many homes have low electricity consumption to determine the low-use housing rate, also known as the vacancy rate.
Taiwan diplomat attends climate change forum in Manila
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines Deputy Director-General Lee Ting-sheng (李廷盛) today attended a forum in Manila on the impact of climate change on regional security.
Typhoon Saudel to pass closest to Taiwan Thursday, Friday
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Typhoon Saudel is expected to pass closest to Taiwan on Thursday and Friday as it moves over waters to the north, having already progressed to a strong typhoon, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The typhoon is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, but its path remains unclear, it said.
《TAIPEI TIMES》 Four acquitted, two sentences upheld in bribery case
Independent Legislator Su Chen-ching arrives for a hearing at the High Court on Dec. 8, 2023. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times PACIFIC SOGO CASE:The ex-lawmakers involved had helped pressure the MOEA over Pacific Distribution’s ownership dispute through legislative oversight and amendments By Yang Hsin-hui and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer 請繼續往下閱讀...
Two lawmakers acquitted in High Court ruling over SOGO bribery scandal
By Yang Hsin-hui and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The High Court today acquitted two lawmakers and two associates in a bribery case involving efforts to help former Pacific Distribution Investment Co chairman Lee Heng-lung (李恆隆) regain control of Pacific SOGO, while upholding prison sentences for two former legislators.
Preschools recognized for ties to communities, indigenous cultures
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Ministry of Education (MOE) today released the 10 preschools shortlisted for gold and silver awards in the 2026 Awards for Teaching Excellence, recognizing the schools' engagement with local communities and indigenous villages to create immersive learning environments.
7 Chinese nationals refused entry at Songshan airport in first half of year
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source In the first six months of this year, immigration agents refused entry to seven Chinese visitors arriving at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) who had applied to enter Taiwan to visit family but allegedly had ulterior motives, the Songshan Airport Border Affairs Corps said today.
Taipei MRT Red Line extension to open on Aug. 30
By He Yu-hua and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The eastern extension of the Taipei MRT's Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) would on Sunday next week officially open after nearly 10 years of construction, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said today. The Red Line, which terminates at Xiangshan Station, would be connected by the 1.4km extension to a new eastern terminal — Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station.
NHIA warns of scam messages on Line
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Scammers have been impersonating the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and sending Line messages, the agency said recently, urging people not to click on suspicious links and to delete the messages immediately.
Cabinet approves 2027 budget plan, record defense spending
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Executive Yuan today approved a NT$3.9266 trillion (US$123.133 billion) central government budget proposal for next year, including NT$1.1225 trillion for national defense, marking the first year the figure has surpassed NT$1 trillion. It is also the first time in 78 years that the government has achieved substantive zero net borrowing. The budget is to be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review by the end of the month.
More Taiwanese visited Japan last month than Chinese
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The number of Taiwanese visitors to Japan last month reached a record high for July, as arrivals surpassed 700,000, with the figure only topped by South Koreans at 894,700, Japan's tourism board said today.
F-16Vs for Taiwan spotted leaving factory in US
By Aaron Tu and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The first batch of F-16Vs purchased from the US are to arrive in Taiwan soon, after a plane spotting enthusiast on Monday spotted two of the jets leaving Lockheed Martin's factory in South Carolina. Taiwan purchased 66 of the F-16 C/D Block 70 jets to be deployed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County and operated by the air force's 7th Tactical Fighter Wing to defend Taiwan’s eastern region.
Draft childcare service rules provide naptime, nutrition guidelines
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday released draft regulations governing childcare services that establish clear rules around naptime safety, hygiene, nutrition and daily care. The Childcare Services Act (兒童托育服務法) was promulgated by President William Lai (賴清德) on May 8.
Over quarter of unmarried Taiwanese have never dated: study
By Wu Po-hsuan and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source About 28.9 percent of Taiwanese who have never been married have also never dated before, with up to 69.68 percent not currently in a relationship, an ongoing demographics study has found.
《TAIPEI TIMES》 Study highlights erroneous use of AI in academic articles
A figurine is pictured in front of an artificial intelligence sign in an undated photograph. Photo: Reuters NEW ISSUE: Report says that 16.1% of references in academic articles in Taiwan were incorrectly cited or suspected to have been fabricated by using AI By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA 請繼續往下閱讀...
Study highlights erroneous use of AI in academic articles
NEW ISSUE: Report says that 16.1% of references in academic articles in Taiwan were incorrectly cited or suspected to have been fabricated by using AI By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source A report released yesterday found that 16.1 percent of references in Taiwanese academic articles are suspected to contain citation errors or artificial intelligence (AI) hallucinations, in which generative AI and large language models fabricate sources, references or citations.
Military sergeant faces life term in espionage case
By Huang Chia-lin and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source An active-duty sergeant has been indicted on suspicion of spying for China and could face life in prison, the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors' Office said. The 34-year-old man, surnamed Chiang (江), from the Yilan County Reserve Command is suspected to have leaked classified documents to a Chinese spy group, receiving up to NT$800,000 in payments since the scheme began in 2022, it said.
Tainted oil probe wraps up with 15 people, 4 firms indicted
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Fifteen people and four companies have been indicted in connection with a tainted cooking oil case involving Central Union Oil Corp (中聯油脂), the Taichung District Prosecutors' Office said today. The contamination came to light last month after soybean-based cooking oil produced by Central Union was found to contain excessive levels of the carcinogen benzopyrene, affecting more than 13,000 businesses.
Taipei Customs seizes 7.99kg of etomidate in vape crackdown
By Chu Pei-hsiung and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The Customs Administration’s Taipei office said that as of the end of last month, it had confiscated 760 e-cigarette devices, 7,780 vape cartridges, 217,080 vape parts and components, and 7.99kg of etomidate this year, as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes and "zombie vapes." Etomidate is a Category 1 narcotic that can be added to e-cigarette liquids to create "zombie...
Taiwan university admissions rate surpass 97%: MOE
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Taiwan's university admission rate reached 97.54 percent this year, up by 0.92 percentage points from last year, with 32,257 students accepted and just 814 rejected, the University Admissions Committee, run by the Ministry of Education (MOE), said today at a news conference. There were 32,494 places available this year, with 33,071 applications, commission executive secretary Shen Sheng-chih (沈聖智) said.
Taiwan wins 24 gold medals at Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Taiwanese inventors yesterday took home a record 24 gold medals at the Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival (SVIIF) in California, with Taiwanese students who designed the app "AllerDetect Go," an AI-powered allergen detection system, winning the top prize in the youth talent competition.
Up to 16.1% of Taiwan's academic references contain errors or may be AI-fabricated: Doublemind
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source A recent study found that up to 16.1 percent of references in Taiwanese academic articles are suspected to contain citation errors or artificial intelligence (AI) hallucinations, in which generative AI (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs) fabricate sources, references or citations.
Kenting Youth Activity Center launches wedding experience, local tours
By Tsai Tsung-hsien and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The Kenting Youth Activity Center is launching five new locally themed tours and an immersive wedding experience in an attempt to boost local tourism, amid challenges facing domestic tourism and competition from overseas destinations in recent years. The center currently provides lodging and dining facilities for young people and youth groups in its classical Minnan-style buildings.
Fires in Taitung park spark fears over National Day fireworks
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source Environmental groups today called for the upcoming Double Ten National Day fireworks display to be reconsidered, after multiple fires that broke out last night in Taitung Forest Park (台東森林公園) were likely caused by fireworks set off nearby. The fires, which burned about 0.7 hectares of grassland and national-level protected wetlands, were extinguished by about 1am today.
McDonald’s shrimp burger refunds available in-store through Sept. 30
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source McDonald's customers who purchased the now-recalled Sea Flavor Fried Shrimp Burger this week can apply for a refund at the store at which they made the purchase until Sept. 30, McDonald's Taiwan said today. McDonald’s Taiwan yesterday said it halted sales of the Sea Flavor Fried Shrimp Burger and its double-patty version after the banned synthetic antibiotics nitrofurans and their metabolites were detected in the shrimp patties.
CEC chair says pared back referendums are ‘positive development’
By Hui Yung-ching and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Michael You (游盈隆) today expressed approval of the three referendums approved by the legislature earlier in the day, saying he was glad that only three had passed rather than the proposed six.
Lithuania calls Taiwan an important partner after US lawmakers’ appeal
By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA Add TT as Preferred Source The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said Taiwan is an important regional partner with which Vilnius consistently seeks to develop mutually beneficial cooperation, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported. The ministry’s remarks came after US representatives on Monday sent a joint letter urging Lithuania to back Taiwan amid Chinese coercion.
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