The government lowers rents on government properties. Restaurants are getting reamed. Taiwan chimes in on the South China Sea. Chiu Yi and Global Times, a match made in an alternative reality. What was Fan Yun up to about barring foreigners at Academia Sinica? Lao Ren Cha looked into it. Finally, a haircut. 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. 

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Packaging use down, but coronavirus creates exceptions on eating utensils. DPP lawmaker Fan Yun wants to block foreigners in Academia Sinica. Concerns over upcoming electronic IDs voiced. Apple reported contracting TSMC to make its own designed chips. Yet again, mixed business news. The Pro-China party loses power in Kiribati over Taiwan. Finally, a significant uptick in Chinese trolls targeting international media. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

The government says no coronavirus lockdown needed for now. Taiwan sports standing tall on the world stage. Waving Taiwan flag legal at sporting events, then not legal say different courts. What is Johnny Chiang up to with Han Kuo-yu? TSMC gets the message. China Airlines' name change may take a while. Taiwan moves to stop Chinese online streaming services. Chinese knock off Taiwan facemasks donated to Japan. The PRC launches the second amphibious assault ship. Taiwan and New Zealand may be getting closer. Foreign Minister says China sold to Paraguay, didn't donate. Finally, some good news from the Vatican.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

The government opens yet more subsidy floodgates this week. The jobless rate is up, but only slightly. The TPP is starting to show some of what they stand for, but still nothing too controversial. The navy coronavirus scandal is getting ever more embarrassing. Yet another GDP forecast shows no one has a clue. Is the PRC making a move on diplomatic partner Paraguay? Wu Sz-hui thinks maybe. The Pope publicly snubs Taiwan in favor of China. Finally, Youtube punishes Tao kids.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Two admirals removed after failing to follow coronavirus guidelines, which likely aided the outbreak on a navy ship. DPP passes bill tripling subsidies. Facemasks can be ordered soon from convenience stores. Daily necessities appear to have ample stocks for the time being. The International Press Institute presses WHO to let in Taiwanese journalists. New proposed passport designs floated. Some surprisingly upbeat business news. KMT's plans to woo younger voters are becoming more apparent. The presidential spokesperson's shirt becomes a story. The Causeway Bay Books co-founder came under attack. Finally, Taiwan drops in world press freedom rankings.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Michael Turton (麥哲恩) and co-host Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) discuss Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu's upcoming recall vote, and explain why and how his joining the KMT's central standing committee is problematic--and why New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-yi was smart to avoid it, and what that might mean for the future of the KMT. The PRC is demanding naturalized Taiwan nationals in Taiwan to comply with their census, and why that is a threat to national security. An armada of illegal sand dredgers from China are shooed off by Taiwan, but it is a sign of growing threat. Taiwanese sports are making it big overseas, and much more! 

All our podcasts from now on are at 

anchor.fm/taiwanreport

You can find the Current Affairs Podcast on 

anchor.fm/currentaffairstaiwan

As always, follow along with the news and get the latest shows, Taiwan Quick Take, and more at our website Report.tw

Apologies, yesterday's show had a technical mishap, so today's show features a few critical items from the day before. An outbreak on a navy ship leads to a significant spike in coronavirus cases. VP says social distancing is the "new normal" for at least a year and a half. Food safety is on the mind of the government, should we worry? The World Health Organization praises Taiwan, but the World Medical Association slams the World Health Organization over Taiwan. President Tsai rules Twitter. Land use law loses a controversial amendment. Fines to be increased after Taiwanese reporter for communist mouthpiece tells Donald Trump, "I'm from Taiwan." NPP reportedly in discussions on cooperating with other parties. A court blocks efforts to halt the Han recall vote and a date for the recall vote has set (and I was wrong about that.) 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw. 

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Once again, no new coronavirus cases! A post on PTT tipped off Taiwan authorities. More loans made available for SMEs, including foreign-owned ones. KMT questions Tsai administration's plans to issue vouchers, call for cash instead. MRT ridership is down 50%, and the airport is closing gates to save money. The number of furloughed workers jumps significantly in the last week. Some grateful, others not so much, for Taiwan's help. The White House reached out to Taiwan over masks. John Bolton calls for the US to recognize Taiwan. Taiwan says China has no legal right to represent Taiwan in the UN. Govt warns of Chinese militia. Local baseball a big hit overseas. The King of Hualien flabbergasted at Han's attempts to halt recall. Finally, the ever-shrinking Huangfuhsing wants to stop shrinking.

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw.

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Taiwan gets two more imported coronavirus cases and considers mandatory testing of some returnees. Bank customers wearing a face mask soon will no longer be assumed to be bank robbers. South Korea to the rescue in central America. The supreme court upholds a life sentence; NPP lawmaker wants the death penalty. NPP proposes stronger sanctions on United Front infiltration. DPP lawmaker Kao Chia-yu gets smacked for standing up to her party. Some mixed but fascinating business reports. US military shows more support for Taiwan. That NYT Times ad seems to have worked. Taiwan pays a 150-year-old Scottish debt. Significant changes afoot for China Airlines as creative ideas flow on how to tackle the challenges. As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).

Taiwan marks the first day in a long time with zero new coronavirus cases! Taiwan has the lowest cases per million of any country in the world. The CECC considers a widespread community outbreak of the type we see around the world might be unlikely in Taiwan. Virus test kits with fast turnarounds could be coming in July, which could be a big boost towards getting back to normal. The govt is creating tons of part-time jobs. Taiwan's airport mulls shutting down one terminal. Singapore's first lady gets Taiwan's media into a sling. More international support for Taiwan. Taiwanese place ad in NYT, but was it worth it the money? Taiwanese baseball to be broadcast in English. Again, very mixed news on the economic front. Taiwan's military to go Iron Man. Czech courts recognize Taiwanese aren't safe in Chinese prisons. And the national carrier name debate heats up. 

As always, all English articles used in the report are linked to on our website 

Report.tw

Taiwan Report News Brief is a daily show of news with analysis and context, providing the listener with a better understanding of Taiwan, especially in politics and foreign affairs. It is also intended to bring the listener up to speed on the week's events for our weekly analysis show, Current Affairs Taiwan (CAT).