Opposition Skeptical of US Trade Deal – Jan. 26, 2026
Taiwanese officials are defending a proposed trade framework with the US amid criticism from opposition lawmakers over the US$500 billion investment commitment and its possible impact on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. China’s top general, Zhang Youxia, is under investigation for allegedly leaking nuclear secrets to the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal. And a ferry carrying more than 350 people has sunk in the southern Philippines, leaving 18 dead and 24 missing. Plus: - A proposal to allow absentee voting is sparking debate in Taiwan, with critics warning of potential outside interference and supporters arguing it could spare voters long commutes. - Crowds flock to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo to bid farewell to giant panda twins before they are set to be returned to China on Jan. 27. - A conservation program in Thailand is breeding endangered leopard sharks and reintroducing them to the country’s waters, achieving slow yet measurable progress.
