On a cold and rainy Sunday in Tel Aviv, Israelis danced, sang and prayed at a series of events to mark the 100 days of captivity for the Gaza hostages.
"I don't think we imagined a situation where we would be here on the 100th day," said Gili Dvash Yeshurun, who attended the commemoration.
Israel's trade union federation, the Histadrut, said hundreds of thousands of workers joined a 100-minute strike.
"I hoped that a miracle would happen and we wouldn't need to stand here today," Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David told a rally.
But it was necessary to "remind the whole world" that the hostages were still held "in Gaza, in tunnels, in basements", he said.
Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, said many of the hostages are likely to have been killed recently.
"The enemy's leadership and army bear full responsibility," he said in a televised statement.
But Hamas on Sunday also released video footage it claimed showed three hostages alive in its custody in Gaza.
In the video, one woman and two men appear talking in Hebrew calling on the Israeli authorities to act for their return home. It was unclear when the footage was filmed.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant vowed earlier on Sunday: "We will not let the world forget. We will not leave them behind."
In the occupied West Bank, where violence has surged since early October, Israeli forces killed five Palestinians including two shot dead when their car broke through a checkpoint, sources on both sides said.
Troops also detained two sisters of Saleh al-Aruri, Hamas's deputy leader killed in a strike in Beirut this month, Palestinian sources and the Israeli army said.
A US defence official has said Israel carried out that strike, which stoked fears of a wider war.
On the latest foreign diplomatic mission to the region, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Egypt, urged the establishment of a Palestinian state and a ceasefire in Gaza.
President Mohamed Muizzu won election last year with a pledge to end the Maldives' "India first" policy, in a region where New Delhi and Beijing compete for influence.
A small contingent of around 80 Indian soldiers are stationed on the Indian Ocean archipelago to provide support for military equipment given to the Maldives by New Delhi and assist in humanitarian activities in the region.
Muizzu proposed their removal in talks at the foreign ministry between senior delegations from both countries.
"In this meeting, on behalf of President Muizzu, the Maldivian delegation proposed the removal of Indian troops by March 15," Ahmed Nazim, Policy Director at the President's Office told reporters.
"This date was proposed in the agenda by the government and specifically the president. These discussions are ongoing."
In his campaign, Muizzu called New Delhi's huge influence a threat to sovereignty and pledged to remove Indian troops.
"That protest (in Hong Kong) had a profound impact on young people in Taiwan, and made us want Taiwan to be recognised separately and independently in the world," university clerk Hana told AFP.
Her friend Mike, a construction worker, said the current set-up, in which Taiwan is independent in practice - with its own government, flag, military and economy - was working.
"I just want to maintain the status quo, meaning not getting any worse," he said, dismissing the idea of China seizing the island as empty threats.
"China has been chanting those strong words for 70 years but they have not invaded us."
Lai and the DPP have toned down past rhetoric pushing for full independence, arguing that since Taiwan is essentially sovereign, there is no need for a formal declaration that would enrage Beijing.
A 40-year-old factory worker surnamed Wang, enjoying the warm Taipei sunshine with her two chinchillas, said she was happy with the arrangement.
"Taiwan is a de facto independent country so it doesn't really matter whether the world will recognise that," Wang said.
"I think the election results show that Taiwanese people want to maintain the status quo and preserve our own way of life."
Saturday's election saw a shift in the island's political dynamics as the upstart populist Taiwan People's Party (TPP) won more than 25 per cent of the vote, disrupting the traditional DPP-KMT duopoly.
TPP and its charismatic presidential candidate Ko Wen-je promised a "reasonable and pragmatic" option for voters weary of the two main parties.
While Ko finished in third place, for some younger Taiwanese his party represents a refreshing alternative to the two establishment outfits.
TAIPEI -- Taiwanese voters on Saturday handed the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) a third straight presidency -- the first since democratic polls for the leadership were introduced in 1996.
In a tight three-way race, Lai Ching-te defeated Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the upstart populist Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
Lai is likely to continue the policies of incumbent Tsai Ing-wen and seek to maintain the status quo with China over the next four years after he takes office in May.
Nikkei has the official results from Taiwan's Central Election Commission here.
Here's how the night unfolded:
Sunday, Jan. 14 (Taiwan time)
4:30 a.m. Canada congratulates the Taiwanese people on the conclusion of the presidential elections, saying it looks forward to advancing people-to-people, science, trade and investment ties.
Saturday, Jan. 13
11:46 p.m. U.S. President Joe Biden says Washington does not support Taiwan's independence following the ruling party's victory in the presidential poll.
"We do not support independence," Biden said when asked for reaction.
11:00 p.m. Chen Binhua, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, says the results of the presidential and legislative elections show the Democratic Progressive Party "cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island." The DPP won the presidency, thanks in part to a fractured opposition, while it lost control of the legislature.
"Taiwan is China's Taiwan. This election cannot change the basic pattern and development direction of cross-strait relations, nor can it change the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to get closer and closer, nor can it stop the general trend that the motherland will eventually be reunified."
10:35 p.m. Moscow continues to view Taiwan as an integral part of China, the Russian Foreign Ministry says in a statement after Lai is declared the winner.
10:15 p.m. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa releases a statement congratulating Lai on his victory.
"For Japan, Taiwan is an extremely crucial partner and an important friend, with which it shares fundamental values and enjoys close economic relations and people to people exchanges. The Government of Japan will work toward further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, based on its position to maintain working relationship on the non-governmental basis," she says.
"We expect that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue, thereby contributing to the peace and stability in the region."
9:30 p.m. Ling Tao, spokesman for the KMT, spoke to the media earlier after Hou departed the party's venue. He harshly criticized the TPP for missing the opportunity to bring down the ruling DPP, as opposition candidates collectively won 60% of the votes.
He stressed that if the two main opposition parties had formed an alliance, as they considered at one point, a change of power would have been possible. The TPP "will have to apologize to the entire Taiwanese people," he said.
9:20 p.m. Here are some other remarks from Lai, including praise for his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen.
"In the past eight years President Tsai had a very steady foreign policy and national defense policy. Her way of doing things has received recognition from the international community," he says. "So according to the constitutional order of the Republic of China, I will conduct cross strait affairs according to that system, so that cross strait relations can return to a healthy and sustainable way of exchanges."
He also touches on Taiwan's critical semiconductor industry, promising to "continue to assist" its development, which would "benefit the global economy" as well.
"The advancement of the semiconductor industry is actually the result of division of labor around the world," he says. "So not only Taiwan needs to cherish this achievement, China and other countries must also cherish this industry."
8:45 p.m. In declaring victory, Lai thanks the people of Taiwan "for writing a new chapter in our democracy."
Speaking to reporters, he credits his rivals Hou and Ko with "demonstrating the spirit of democracy" and stresses that Taiwan resisted outside interference. "We elected our own president," he says.
Lai says that as leader, he has a responsibility to "maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." And he says the results show Taiwan will "continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world," a key point of the DPP's campaign.
8:20 p.m. Ko of the upstart TPP follows Hou in conceding defeat to Lai. "We will definitely rule four years later," Ko says.
8:10 p.m. Speaking at the same outdoor venue in New Taipei City where he held his final rally the day before, the KMT's Hou congratulates Lai but vows to make himself and the party a force to "closely monitor" the DPP and new president.
Hou swiftly leaves without taking questions from the media.
8 p.m. Hou arrives at KMT headquarters and, with a deep bow to supporters, concedes defeat.
7:40 p.m. Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen is due to arrive at the DPP's campaign headquarters in Taipei at 8:15 p.m., and Lai is now expected to meet the press at 8:20 p.m., according to Formosa TV.
7:15 p.m. The Central Election Commission says 74% of the 17,795 voting stations have been counted. Lai leads with 41.57% of ballots, followed by Hou at 33.15% and Ko at 25.28%.
A woman looks on as supporters of the Kuomintang (KMT) wait for results of the presidential and parliamentary elections in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on Jan. 13.
6:50 p.m. About half the 17,795 voting stations have been counted by the Central Election Commission, with Lai leading at 41.9%. Hou is in second at 33.15% while Ko trails at 24.95%.
6:20 p.m. Lai continues to hold a modest lead in the early counting, tracked by Taiwan's broadcasters.
TVBS reports that the DPP candidate has racked up 3,053,796 votes, followed by Hou with 2,560,662 and Ko with 2,092,315. Formosa TV shows Lai with 3,319,162 votes, followed by Hou with 2,702,903 and Ko with 2,260,172. Again, these are not official numbers and there is still time for the picture to change significantly.
Officially, the Central Election Commission has counted more than 2.4 million ballots so far. Out of those, Lai is leading at 42.92%, followed by Hou at 33.17% and Ko at 23.90%.
The TPP leader Ko is expected to speak to supporters by 8 p.m. local time. Lai is due to hold a news conference at 8:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Taiwan's broadcasters show Lai maintaining his modest lead in the early counting.
TVBS gives the ruling DPP's candidate 2,866,366 votes, followed by Hou with 2,402,750 and Ko with 1,973,719. Formosa TV shows Lai with 3,155,514 votes, followed by Hou with 2,580,530 and Ko with 2,163,934. These are not official numbers, which are coming in at a slower pace and can be found here.
According to local TV station SETN, the election's turnout rate is projected to be 69%, which would be lower than the 74.9% recorded for the previous polls in 2020.
5:15 p.m. Lai is expected to arrive at DPP headquarters at 7.30 p.m and host a news conference at 8.30 p.m., according to broadcaster TVBS.
5 p.m. Lai holds a slim lead in the very early counting. TVBS has him at 2,143,589 votes, followed by Hou with 1,813,741 and Ko with 1,517,460. Politically, the broadcaster leans toward the KMT.
DPP-leaning Formosa TV shows Lai with 2,429,677 votes, followed by Hou with 2,014,037 and Ko with 1,722,745. These are not official numbers and there are still plenty of uncounted ballots left.
4:30 p.m. The numbers keep streaming in. KMT-leaning broadcaster TVBS has Lai in the lead with 779,108 votes, followed by Hou with 671,474 and Ko with 612,032.
DPP-leaning Formosa TV shows Lai with 874,048 votes, followed by Hou with 735,713 and Ko with 678,786. There's still a long way to go.
4:15 p.m. Local TV station TVBS reports that Lai leads with 160,162 votes, followed by Ko with 140,841 and Hou with 137,572. Politically, TVBS leans toward the KMT.
Another channel, Formosa TV, shows Lai with 170,612 votes, followed by Ko with 144,650 and Hou with 143,198. Formosa TV leans toward the DPP.
But it's early. Many ballots are still to be counted from Taiwan's 19.56 million eligible voters.
4 p.m. It's closing time at polling stations -- and time to start counting ballots.
Around midday, turnout rates of about 45% were reported in key cities including Hsinchu, Tainan and Taichung. Many expect the eventual voting rate will at least surpass 70%. Last time, in the 2020 election, turnout reached 74.9%.
3 p.m. Just an hour to go now until the end of voting. While we wait, here are some photos taken on election day.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen casts her vote during the presidential election in Taipei on Jan. 13. (Photo by DPP/Getty Images)
1 p.m. Three hours to go until the polls close. Results will be coming through the evening.
10:30 a.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao in Washington, the State Department said in a statement. Blinken "reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea."
9:40 a.m. Taiwan's defense ministry pointed to more Chinese military aircraft and vessels coming near Taiwan. The ministry also said, according to Reuters, that on Saturday morning it had again spotted Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait, one of which flew over Taiwan itself.
8:30 a.m. Presidential candidates cast their ballots in their home constituencies
Lai voted in the southern city of Tainan. He told reporters that the weather was nice and encouraged people to come out and vote. He said he had a series of meetings to hold after voting.
The TPP's Ko voted together with his wife, while his running mate Cynthia Wu also cast a ballot in her residential district around 8am. Both are in Taipei. Ko said it was good weather and the turnout is expected to be better in this case.
The KMT's Hou Yu-ih has cast his votes in New Taipei City. He said that there may have a lot of disturbances during the election process, but after the election everyone must unite to bring Taiwan together. He added that after his final rally last night, his three daughters bought a huge bag of Taiwanese fried chicken and they talked and ate till midnight.
His running mate Jaw Shaw-kang voted alongside Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Jaw said he had slept well. He also asked more voters to cast votes, calling it the responsibility of everyone to decide their future.
Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen said democracy is hard-earned, and encouraged people to cast votes, saying it is their right and obligation. DPP vice president candidate Hsiao Bi-khim went to vote in New Taipei City, after accompanying president Tsai earlier. Hsiao at first she forgot to bring her ID and quickly asked her aide to pick it up for her.
DPP candidate Lai Ching-te votes at the polling station in Tainan, Taiwan, on Jan. 13. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
7 a.m. At a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked how the election may affect relations between China and Taiwan.
In line with Beijing's view that it is a domestic matter, she responded: "The elections of the Taiwan region are China's internal affairs. Regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world."
Woman Undergoes Brain Surgery During 26-Day Malaysia Hospital Stay, Bill Comes Up To RM258
After his wife suffered a brain haemorrhage that required her to stay in a hospital in Malaysia for 26 days and undergo surgery, a man understandably grew worried about the bills.
However, he was pleasantly surprised when he was charged just RM258 (S$74), and praised Malaysia’s healthcare system as the kindest in the world.
Wife suffers splitting headache at home
In a Facebook post on 9 Jan, a happy and relieved Mr Lee Vi Hua related the story of a harrowing 26 days for his family.
On 15 Dec last year, two days before the family was due to go on a vacation to Japan, his wife Vicki suddenly complained of a splitting headache at about 6pm.
Symptoms were so severe that her face turned white, she broke out in a cold sweat and couldn’t even get out of bed and walk.
They said she needed to undergo a brain coiling procedure urgently. This involves approaching the aneurysm from inside the blood vessel via a catheter to seal it off, so there is no need to open the skull.
This procedure was available only at Gleneagles Hospital in Johor, a private hospital, or the central government hospital in Johor Bahru.
When Mr Lee asked how much the surgery would cost at the private hospital, the doctor estimated it to be about RM150,000 (S$43,000).
However, he ultimately chose to go to the private hospital to alleviate his wife’s suffering. Though she had insurance, he was still worried about the cost.
Wife contracts Covid-19, transferred to govt hospital
On 17 Dec, Vicki went to Gleneagles, where she underwent pre-surgery testing.
As luck would have it, though, she tested positive for Covid-19.
Due to Malaysian Health Ministry regulations, that meant she had to be transferred to the central government hospital in JB.
After being transferred, she had to be isolated for five days in a Covid-19 ward, which meant that Mr Lee and their children could only communicate with her via Facetime.
When she finally tested negative on 23 Dec, there was another complication — their neurologist was now on vacation.
Mr Lee called Gleneagles to ask them whether they could do the surgery, and received a similar answer — their doctor was also on vacation for two weeks. Thus, they suggested Vicki remain at the central government hospital for the surgery.
That meant that she would have to spend her birthday in hospital.
Resigned, her husband said it was “God’s plan” for the brain surgery to be performed at the central government hospital.
TAIPEI -- Taiwan voted on Saturday in elections billed as a defining moment for the self-ruled democracy, in the shadow of Chinese demands for unification and overt attempts at intimidation.
Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was up against Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the upstart populist Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
After what had appeared to be a tight race, the DPP's Lai grabbed an early lead in the counting, which he maintained throughout the evening.
Nikkei has the official results from Taiwan's Central Election Commission here.
4:30 a.m. Canada congratulates the Taiwanese people on the conclusion of the presidential elections, saying it looks forward to advancing people-to-people, science, trade and investment ties.
Saturday, Jan. 13
11:46 p.m. U.S. President Joe Biden says Washington does not support Taiwan's independence following the ruling party's victory in the presidential poll.
"We do not support independence," Biden said when asked for reaction.
11:00 p.m. Chen Binhua, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, says the results of the presidential and legislative elections show the Democratic Progressive Party "cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island." The DPP won the presidency, thanks in part to a fractured opposition, while it lost control of the legislature.
"Taiwan is China's Taiwan. This election cannot change the basic pattern and development direction of cross-strait relations, nor can it change the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to get closer and closer, nor can it stop the general trend that the motherland will eventually be reunified."
10:35 p.m. Moscow continues to view Taiwan as an integral part of China, the Russian Foreign Ministry says in a statement after Lai is declared the winner.
10:15 p.m. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa releases a statement congratulating Lai on his victory.
"For Japan, Taiwan is an extremely crucial partner and an important friend, with which it shares fundamental values and enjoys close economic relations and people to people exchanges. The Government of Japan will work toward further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, based on its position to maintain working relationship on the non-governmental basis," she says.
"We expect that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue, thereby contributing to the peace and stability in the region."
9:30 p.m. Ling Tao, spokesman for the KMT, spoke to the media earlier after Hou departed the party's venue. He harshly criticized the TPP for missing the opportunity to bring down the ruling DPP, as opposition candidates collectively won 60% of the votes.
He stressed that if the two main opposition parties had formed an alliance, as they considered at one point, a change of power would have been possible. The TPP "will have to apologize to the entire Taiwanese people," he said.
9:20 p.m. Here are some other remarks from Lai, including praise for his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen.
"In the past eight years President Tsai had a very steady foreign policy and national defense policy. Her way of doing things has received recognition from the international community," he says. "So according to the constitutional order of the Republic of China, I will conduct cross strait affairs according to that system, so that cross strait relations can return to a healthy and sustainable way of exchanges."
He also touches on Taiwan's critical semiconductor industry, promising to "continue to assist" its development, which would "benefit the global economy" as well.
"The advancement of the semiconductor industry is actually the result of division of labor around the world," he says. "So not only Taiwan needs to cherish this achievement, China and other countries must also cherish this industry."
8:45 p.m. In declaring victory, Lai thanks the people of Taiwan "for writing a new chapter in our democracy."
Speaking to reporters, he credits his rivals Hou and Ko with "demonstrating the spirit of democracy" and stresses that Taiwan resisted outside interference. "We elected our own president," he says.
Lai says that as leader, he has a responsibility to "maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." And he says the results show Taiwan will "continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world," a key point of the DPP's campaign.
8:20 p.m. Ko of the upstart TPP follows Hou in conceding defeat to Lai. "We will definitely rule four years later," Ko says.
8:10 p.m. Speaking at the same outdoor venue in New Taipei City where he held his final rally the day before, the KMT's Hou congratulates Lai but vows to make himself and the party a force to "closely monitor" the DPP and new president.
Hou swiftly leaves without taking questions from the media.
8 p.m. Hou arrives at KMT headquarters and, with a deep bow to supporters, concedes defeat.
7:40 p.m. Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen is due to arrive at the DPP's campaign headquarters in Taipei at 8:15 p.m., and Lai is now expected to meet the press at 8:20 p.m., according to Formosa TV.
7:15 p.m. The Central Election Commission says 74% of the 17,795 voting stations have been counted. Lai leads with 41.57% of ballots, followed by Hou at 33.15% and Ko at 25.28%.
A woman looks on as supporters of the Kuomintang (KMT) wait for results of the presidential and parliamentary elections in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on Jan. 13.
6:50 p.m. About half the 17,795 voting stations have been counted by the Central Election Commission, with Lai leading at 41.9%. Hou is in second at 33.15% while Ko trails at 24.95%.
6:20 p.m. Lai continues to hold a modest lead in the early counting, tracked by Taiwan's broadcasters.
TVBS reports that the DPP candidate has racked up 3,053,796 votes, followed by Hou with 2,560,662 and Ko with 2,092,315. Formosa TV shows Lai with 3,319,162 votes, followed by Hou with 2,702,903 and Ko with 2,260,172. Again, these are not official numbers and there is still time for the picture to change significantly.
Officially, the Central Election Commission has counted more than 2.4 million ballots so far. Out of those, Lai is leading at 42.92%, followed by Hou at 33.17% and Ko at 23.90%.
The TPP leader Ko is expected to speak to supporters by 8 p.m. local time. Lai is due to hold a news conference at 8:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Taiwan's broadcasters show Lai maintaining his modest lead in the early counting.
TVBS gives the ruling DPP's candidate 2,866,366 votes, followed by Hou with 2,402,750 and Ko with 1,973,719. Formosa TV shows Lai with 3,155,514 votes, followed by Hou with 2,580,530 and Ko with 2,163,934. These are not official numbers, which are coming in at a slower pace and can be found here.
According to local TV station SETN, the election's turnout rate is projected to be 69%, which would be lower than the 74.9% recorded for the previous polls in 2020.
5:15 p.m. Lai is expected to arrive at DPP headquarters at 7.30 p.m and host a news conference at 8.30 p.m., according to broadcaster TVBS.
5 p.m. Lai holds a slim lead in the very early counting. TVBS has him at 2,143,589 votes, followed by Hou with 1,813,741 and Ko with 1,517,460. Politically, the broadcaster leans toward the KMT.
DPP-leaning Formosa TV shows Lai with 2,429,677 votes, followed by Hou with 2,014,037 and Ko with 1,722,745. These are not official numbers and there are still plenty of uncounted ballots left.
4:30 p.m. The numbers keep streaming in. KMT-leaning broadcaster TVBS has Lai in the lead with 779,108 votes, followed by Hou with 671,474 and Ko with 612,032.
DPP-leaning Formosa TV shows Lai with 874,048 votes, followed by Hou with 735,713 and Ko with 678,786. There's still a long way to go.
4:15 p.m. Local TV station TVBS reports that Lai leads with 160,162 votes, followed by Ko with 140,841 and Hou with 137,572. Politically, TVBS leans toward the KMT.
Another channel, Formosa TV, shows Lai with 170,612 votes, followed by Ko with 144,650 and Hou with 143,198. Formosa TV leans toward the DPP.
But it's early. Many ballots are still to be counted from Taiwan's 19.56 million eligible voters.
4 p.m. It's closing time at polling stations -- and time to start counting ballots.
Around midday, turnout rates of about 45% were reported in key cities including Hsinchu, Tainan and Taichung. Many expect the eventual voting rate will at least surpass 70%. Last time, in the 2020 election, turnout reached 74.9%.
3 p.m. Just an hour to go now until the end of voting. While we wait, here are some photos taken on election day.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen casts her vote during the presidential election in Taipei on Jan. 13. (Photo by DPP/Getty Images)
1 p.m. Three hours to go until the polls close. Results will be coming through the evening.
10:30 a.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao in Washington, the State Department said in a statement. Blinken "reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea."
9:40 a.m. Taiwan's defense ministry pointed to more Chinese military aircraft and vessels coming near Taiwan. The ministry also said, according to Reuters, that on Saturday morning it had again spotted Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait, one of which flew over Taiwan itself.
8:30 a.m. Presidential candidates cast their ballots in their home constituencies
Lai voted in the southern city of Tainan. He told reporters that the weather was nice and encouraged people to come out and vote. He said he had a series of meetings to hold after voting.
The TPP's Ko voted together with his wife, while his running mate Cynthia Wu also cast a ballot in her residential district around 8am. Both are in Taipei. Ko said it was good weather and the turnout is expected to be better in this case.
The KMT's Hou Yu-ih has cast his votes in New Taipei City. He said that there may have a lot of disturbances during the election process, but after the election everyone must unite to bring Taiwan together. He added that after his final rally last night, his three daughters bought a huge bag of Taiwanese fried chicken and they talked and ate till midnight.
His running mate Jaw Shaw-kang voted alongside Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Jaw said he had slept well. He also asked more voters to cast votes, calling it the responsibility of everyone to decide their future.
Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen said democracy is hard-earned, and encouraged people to cast votes, saying it is their right and obligation. DPP vice president candidate Hsiao Bi-khim went to vote in New Taipei City, after accompanying president Tsai earlier. Hsiao at first she forgot to bring her ID and quickly asked her aide to pick it up for her.
DPP candidate Lai Ching-te votes at the polling station in Tainan, Taiwan, on Jan. 13. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
7 a.m. At a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked how the election may affect relations between China and Taiwan.
In line with Beijing's view that it is a domestic matter, she responded: "The elections of the Taiwan region are China's internal affairs. Regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world."
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the initial strikes had hit the Houthis' ability to store, launch and guide missiles or drones, which the group has used to threaten shipping. He said Washington had no interest in a war with Yemen.
The Houthis said five fighters were killed in the initial strikes.
Mr Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of "foreign terrorist organizations" in 2021, was asked by reporters whether he felt the term "terrorist" described the movement now. "I think they are," he said.
The Red Sea crisis has added to the spread of conflict through the Middle East since Hamas militants rampaged through southern Israel on Oct 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing 240 hostages.
Israel has responded by laying waste to large sections of Gaza to try to annihilate Hamas. A total of 23,843 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on the enclave since Oct 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the country planned a "huge" addition to its defense budget as part of a build-up designed to cover its needs for years to come.
At the UN Security Council on Friday, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the US and Britain "single-handedly triggered a spillover of the conflict (in Gaza) to the entire region."
A senior US official accused Tehran of providing the Yemeni group with military capabilities and intelligence. There has been no sign so far Iran is seeking direct conflict, although Iran condemned the American and British strikes.
Houthi attacks have forced commercial ships to take a longer, costlier route around Africa, creating concern about a new bout of inflation and supply chain disruption. Container shipping rates for some global routes have soared this week.
