 Prosecutors are asking a court to sentence Core Pacific Chair Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) to 26 years in prison and a fine of NT$605 million (US$19.27 million) in connection with a Core Pacific City land deal.
The real estate tycoon has already been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the scandal surrounding former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). He was found guilty of paying Ko NT$15 million to have the city government approve an expansion of the floor area ratio at his Core Pacific City project. In the latest case, Sheen was accused of breaking the Securities and Exchange Act in land deals designed to obtain funds to pay back gambling debts. An additional 12 people, including Sheen’s son, have been indicted in the case. Prosecutors said the case goes back to 2001, when Sheen’s company built Core Pacific Mall. In the second year of operations, revenue plunged, with losses continuing for years, leaving the company unable to pay back debt due to the banks. Sheen was also losing considerable sums of money during frequent overseas gambling trips, investigators said. To solve his problems, he signed a bogus investment loan agreement with a company in Macau, prosecutors said. By 2019 however, the total debt for Sheen’s gambling and for Core Pacific reached NT$18.1 billion. It is alleged that companies owned by Core Pacific Group, including China Petrochemical Development Corp., were involved in a bid for a plot of land which led to funds being funneled to 39 small companies controlled by Sheen, prosecutors asserted. They also asked the court for prison sentences from seven to 12 years and fines from NT$10 million to NT$20 million for other defendants, most of them executives at Core Pacific Group subsidiaries. The list includes former Economics Minister Steve Chen (陳瑞隆), who could face 12 years in prison and a fine of NT$20 million for his actions as independent board member and later chair of China Petrochemical Development. In a separate case, the Taiwan High Court rejected Sheen’s appeal Friday against an increase to NT$30 million set for the bail amount after his conviction in the corruption scandal related to Ko, per CNA. The court ruled against Sheen’s request because it said there was a possibility he might try to flee overseas to evade the 10-year prison term.  Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) presided over the opening of five negative-pressure smoking rooms, calling the initiative an important milestone in the city’s efforts to promote a smoke-free environment.
Three of the smoking rooms were installed in the Ximending shopping district, another in Xinzhongshan Linear Park, and another at a bus parking lot near Taipei Main Station. In addition, 100 outdoor smoking areas across the city officially opened the same day. Chiang said the facilities demonstrate that Taipei’s efforts to build a smoke-free city continue to advance and will not stop. Smoking will be fully prohibited in Ximending and Xinzhongshan Linear Park beginning June 1. He added that the city government welcomes feedback from the public and will make adjustments as needed. Chiang said the city has been emboldened to pursue the initiative after a government survey found strong public support for pilot smoke-free measures implemented during the Taipei Lantern Festival. The poll found that 96.2% of respondents supported adopting similar measures at large events and crowded public spaces, while 85.7% supported establishing outdoor smoking rooms. Chiang said Ximending will serve as a pilot site for the city’s smoking ban in public places. He said inspectors will guide smokers to designated smoking areas, helping break the habit of smoking in public and reducing secondhand smoke exposure for pedestrians. Smoking in a designated no-smoking area may result in a fine of between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000 (US$60 to US$300), according to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. Taipei City Health Bureau Director Huang Chien-hua (黃建華) said the city currently has 183 designated smoking areas and smoking rooms. Residents can locate the facilities through a smoking-area map available on the TaipeiPASS app. He added that multiple city departments will jointly conduct smoking hazard awareness campaigns and inspections.  Parents who each take six months of parental leave will receive an additional month of childcare leave benefits under proposed legal amendments announced by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰).
Cho said the government is pursuing amendments to encourage people of all genders to share family caregiving responsibilities=. Ahead of Mother's Day, he added that motherhood takes many forms, including mothers, fathers taking on maternal roles, grandparents raising grandchildren, foster parents, and caregivers. He said the government is also promoting gender-friendly workplaces to help people balance work and family responsibilities. Existing measures include allowing childcare leave applications to be submitted per day and family care leave to be requested per hour, giving caregivers greater flexibility. Cho said the proposed amendments would grant each parent an extra month of parental leave benefits if both take six months of childcare leave. Cho said the policy is intended to promote shared caregiving duties while advancing gender equality and building a more family-friendly society. As of March, men accounted for 49.6% of applications for flexible parental leave. In March, Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) said his ministry is studying a proposal to raise the eligibility age for parental leave to 6 years old. The premier added that the government has launched the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 to strengthen family support systems. The updated policy expands respite care services and boosts capacity for nighttime and emergency care, easing pressure on caregivers. Under current regulations, those covered by employment insurance are eligible for parental leave benefits for up to six months per child. The benefits provide 60% of a recipient’s average insured monthly salary, plus an additional 20% government subsidy, for a total salary replacement rate of 80%.  Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture is planning new guidelines to improve the transport of live animals, following concerns raised by animal welfare groups.
The Taiwan Rabbit Saving Association and the Environment and Animal Society released an investigation video examining Taiwan Railway’s parcel train operations. The groups estimated that more than 1 million young and small animals are transported each year through the system during transactions between breeders and wholesalers. The rail parcel system runs on six Chu-Kuang Express services daily, using attached carriages for luggage and agricultural goods. Because of relatively low fees, animals are often shipped as ordinary parcels, with costs for consignments under 10 kilograms ranging from about NT$200 (US$6) to NT$260. Species observed in transport included rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, dogs, cats, chicks, ducklings, and pigeons. The groups said the animals are frequently treated as standard cargo with limited oversight. They reported cases where animals are placed in cramped, low-height cages or cardboard boxes, leading to injuries from trampling, bone damage, or prolonged twisted postures. There is no temperature control in parcel carriages, the investigation found, and during summer heat, hundreds of animals may be confined in enclosed spaces. In some cases, operators mix different species, such as mice and rabbits, in the same containers. The groups said current practices may conflict with Taiwan’s Animal Protection Act, which requires adequate care, access to food and water, and protection from fear and distress. Existing transport rules mainly cover livestock such as pigs and cattle, as well as certain protected wildlife. However, they lack clear guidelines for the transport of chicks, young livestock, and small mammals, all of which account for a large annual trade volume. The groups advised revising animal transport regulations and suggested that Taiwan Railway stop live animal shipments if specific welfare requirements are not fulfilled. They recommended shifting these operations to professional private logistics firms that offer temperature-controlled transport. In response, Taiwan’s Department of Animal Welfare said transport operators are responsible for ensuring appropriate conditions during transit, including water provision, waste management, and the prevention of unnecessary stress or suffering. Violations may result in fines. The Ministry of Agriculture said it will work with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Taiwan Railway to establish clearer guidelines for non-livestock animal transport. Discussions are expected to begin within one month, with basic standards targeted by the end of the year.  Taiwan’s population fell for the 28th consecutive month in April to 23,262,544, down 102,730 from a year earlier and 8,024 from March.
Taiwan recorded 8,144 births in April, slightly lower than both March and April last year. The figure was equal to an annualized birth rate of 4.26 births per 1,000 people. Deaths continued to outnumber births. Taiwan recorded 15,994 deaths in April, equal to an annualized death rate of 8.36 deaths per 1,000 people. Lienchiang County had the highest birth rate at 8.92 births per 1,000 people. It was followed by Taitung County at 6.08 and Penghu County at 6.05. Chiayi County had the lowest birth rate at 2.61 births per 1,000 people. Keelung followed at 2.91, while Chiayi City recorded 3.02. Taiwan also saw a small net migration loss in April. A total of 69,085 people moved in, while 69,259 people moved out, leaving a net loss of 174 people. Including births, deaths, and migration, Taiwan’s population fell by 8,024 from March. Natural population growth, which counts births minus deaths, was negative 7,850. The Ministry of the Interior also recorded 5,783 marriages in April. These included 5,579 opposite-sex marriages and 204 same-sex marriages. There were 4,092 divorces in April. These included 4,016 opposite-sex divorces and 76 same-sex divorces. Taiwan became a super-aged society last year. By the end of April, people aged 65 and older made up 20.36% of the population, while children aged 14 and under made up 11.40%.  A suspected hidden camera was discovered inside a smoke detector at a branch of an Aierlee beauty clinic in New Taipei's Banqiao District, raising concerns over patient privacy.
The incident prompted a joint inspection by the Taipei City Health Bureau, consumer protection officials, and police. Authorities said the company is cooperating with the investigation and will provide further clarification once more details are established. Aierlee said its surveillance equipment is intended to ensure medical quality and safeguard medicines and equipment. It added that surveillance does not infringe on consumer privacy. Taichung City Health Bureau also conducted inspections at clinics in Beitun District and Xitun District, uncovering suspected surveillance devices concealed in smoke detectors in consultation rooms, injection rooms, and treatment areas. The cases have been referred for further investigation. The bureau said medical institutions are obligated to protect patient privacy and that staff must remain mindful of privacy concerns during procedures. It added that any audio or video recording during treatment must be conducted only with patient consent and that examination rooms should be designed with facilities that safeguard privacy. Recordings made without a specific purpose or without express written consent can result in fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$500,000 (US$1,600–US$16,000) under the Personal Data Protection Act. Additional penalties of NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 could be issued under the Medical Care Act if patient privacy is compromised. Aierlee, a major aesthetic medicine chain approaching its 25th anniversary, also came under scrutiny in its hometown of Tainan. A total of three Aierlee branches were inspected by the Tainan City Health Bureau, which found no obvious violations  The Childcare Policy Alliance on Wednesday urged the government to let parents work shorter hours without a cut in pay.
Reporters reported that the group urged the Cabinet and lawmakers to amend the Gender Equality in Employment Act to support working parents. It said flexible parental leave helps in emergencies but does not solve parents’ daily lack of time with their children. The alliance cited a 2022 government survey showing 37% of parents with young children had faced parenting difficulties. It said the most common problem was not having enough time to spend with their children. Under current rules, some parents can reduce their workday by one hour, but their pay may be cut. The alliance said the rule should apply to more workers, cover parents with children up to age 6, and include government subsidies so wages are not reduced. The group also called for substitute worker allowances. It said the government should support employers and workers who cover the duties of parents using shorter work hours. The alliance cited Chunghwa Telecom as an example, saying the company already gives workers with children under 6 shorter hours without cutting pay or affecting performance reviews. It said the policy has improved worker happiness, engagement, and retention. The group said shorter hours and better workplace support would help Taiwan’s families and workforce. It urged the government to act quickly and make work-family balance a stronger part of labor policy  Taiwan’s national teachers’ union called for a retroactive increase in a special education allowance, saying it should be aligned with other recent teacher compensation adjustments.
The Cabinet approved a raise in monthly payments for elementary and junior high school special education personnel in June last year, increasing the allowance from NT$1,800 (US$57) to NT$2,800. The adjustment took effect in February this year. The National Federation of Teachers Unions said the increase should also be applied retroactively, pointing to a separate compensation package for teachers announced on Dec. 31, 2025. That package covered homeroom teacher stipends, hourly teaching fees, and administrative performance bonuses for senior high and lower-level schools. The package was implemented in January and applied retroactively to September last year. By contrast, the special education allowance increase was not applied retroactively, even though it was approved earlier but implemented later. The union said the difference in treatment creates a perception of unequal compensation among teachers. It urged the Cabinet to extend retroactive application to the special education allowance, arguing that consistent policy treatment would help retain special education staff and support students’ right to education. Special education refers to instruction designed for students with disabilities or exceptional learning needs. It uses tailored instruction and support services to meet individual requirements.  A 44-year-old woman died after falling while rock climbing at Long Dong climbing area in Gongliao District.
According to the New Taipei Fire Department, authorities received a report around noon that the woman had fallen approximately 10 meters. Rescue personnel faced a difficult descent down steep terrain into a valley, reaching her nearly an hour later, finding her unconscious and in cardiac arrest with severe head injuries. A helicopter from the National Airborne Service Corps was dispatched to airlift the victim. Police identified the woman by her surname, Tsai (蔡), and said she was born in 1982. After being moved to a suitable area for the airlift, she was transported to the yacht marina behind Long Dong Bay Ocean Park. She was then taken by ambulance to Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Despite emergency treatment, she was pronounced dead at 3 p.m., hospital officials said. Ruifang Police Precinct has requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death and will investigate the climbing accident. Officers interviewed those with her to understand the circumstances of the incident. According to the preliminary investigation, Tsai was at the site with her boyfriend and several friends, all equipped with safety gear. The exact cause and sequence of the fall remain under investigation. Long Dong climbing area is a well-known natural climbing destination in northeastern Taiwan. Its steep coastal terrain and distinctive sandstone formations attract climbers seeking challenging routes. Climbing paths in the area vary in difficulty, making proper equipment, experience, and technique essential to reduce the risk of accidents.  Prosecutors in New Taipei brought in eight people, including Airlee Group Chair Chang Ju-shan (常如山), for overnight questioning over suspected hidden cameras concealed in smoke detectors at the company’s beauty clinics.
Earlier that day, police and prosecutors raided Airlee (愛爾麗) clinics in Banqiao, Xinzhuang, Linkou, and Yonghe. Prosecutors are investigating allegations involving the unauthorized recording of explicit images, private body parts, and minors. Prosecutors requested that Chang be held incommunicado. Chang, an assistant also named Chang (張), and a surveillance equipment contractor named Hsieh (謝). They were detained on suspicion of destroying evidence and colluding with accomplices or witnesses. The case surfaced when a woman undergoing a body sculpting treatment at an Airlee clinic in Banqiao noticed a suspicious device mounted in the ceiling of a treatment room. Clinic staff initially claimed the device was a smoke detector. Police dismantled the device and confirmed it contained a hidden camera. Investigators later found that Hsieh had allegedly been instructed to remove hidden cameras from 10 Airlee branches across central and northern Taiwan and destroy evidence. Authorities intervened before the devices could be removed and seized the disguised surveillance cameras from multiple branches. Police said multiple victims have been identified, with seven people already filing reports. Prosecutors urged other potential victims to cooperate with investigators. |