Iran opens first phase of largest solar power plant in Isfahan
Iran has opened the first phase of its largest solar power plant as part of a major government programme to expand renewable energy capacity....
Ko Wen-je, a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics and former presidential candidate, has been indicted on corruption charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years. The 65-year-old former Taipei mayor is accused of accepting bribes during his time in office.
Ko Wen-je, a former presidential candidate and prominent figure in Taiwanese politics, was indicted on Thursday over corruption allegations.
The 65-year-old stands accused of accepting $500,000 in bribes linked to a real estate deal during his tenure as Taipei mayor and of misreporting campaign finances during his presidential run in January. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years.
The indictment marks a major setback for Ko and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which has appealed to voters seeking an alternative to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT). Prosecutors revealed that Ko is among 11 individuals facing charges, including several TPP members accused of misusing political donations.
Ko, who denies the allegations, was arrested in September and remains in detention. His political allies and supporters have protested the charges, accusing the DPP of weaponizing the legal system to suppress its opponents.
Ko’s political career has been marked by his role as a third-party alternative in a system dominated by the DPP and KMT. In the January presidential election, he garnered over 25% of the vote—a significant showing for a third-party candidate—while the ruling party’s Lai Ching-te won with 40%.
Although Ko finished last among the three main candidates, his performance highlighted growing public demand for alternatives to the two-party system.
Rising to prominence after supporting the 2014 Sunflower Movement protests against Beijing, Ko won the Taipei mayoral election as an independent and secured a second term in 2018. Over time, his policies evolved, and he sought to strengthen Taipei’s ties with mainland China. T
hroughout his career, he has been known for his unconventional rhetoric and unorthodox campaign strategies, earning him a reputation as a “wildcard” in Taiwanese politics.
Despite his loss in the presidential race, Ko had expressed intentions to run again in 2028. However, the wave of prosecutions against him and his party raises questions about whether the TPP can recover and remain a viable political force.
As the legal proceedings continue, the indictment against Ko has sparked a heated debate in Taiwan about the balance between justice and political maneuvering, with potential implications for the nation’s political future.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
UK authorities have raised an amber heat health alert for much of southern England, warning that the ongoing heatwave could lead to a rise in deaths.
Floods driven by climate change are raising the danger of long-banned toxic chemicals resurfacing in rivers, soil, and food chains, according to a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
Israel is expected to submit a new withdrawal map today during ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, as talks face challenges over the size of the buffer zone around Gaza.
Widespread wildfires have engulfed the Alawenat Oasis in southwestern Libya, with flames spreading into residential areas and causing panic among local communities, according to state media.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his “unconditional support” for all actions taken by Russia to resolve the Ukraine war, during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to North Korean state media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment