The government will impose penalties on the builder of Taiwan’s prototype submarine, known as the Narwhal or Hai Kun, for failure to be delivered on schedule, according to Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄). Koo reported to the Legislature on Monday regarding the progress, saying that fines will amount to around NT$190,000 (over US$6,200) per day, up to 20% of the NT$4 billion (US$130.8 million) contract value. A November delivery would be “extremely challenging,” explained Koo, adding that the navy and contractor will continue required sea trials while prioritizing safety and quality. Regarding media reports that a senior official in the Naval Meteorological and Oceanographic Office illegally collected and shared sensitive exercise and operational information in unencrypted messaging groups, Koo commented that the military has launched an administrative probe and said he hopes the investigation will be handled quickly and with impartiality.

This week, Taiwan shines as the IMF lifts its growth forecast to 3.7%, surpassing Canada, Japan, and most advanced economies. But growth brings its own balancing act. From cash handouts and AI-powered restaurants to trade deals with Canada and defense ties with the U.S., the island is juggling prosperity with pressure. Beneath the good news, traditional industries warn of being left behind, and China’s rare earth controls reveal how fragile supply chains still are. Taiwan’s story this week isn’t just about expansion—it’s about learning how to grow steadily, fairly, and sustainably in a world full of crosswinds.

Will the hunters find Pacifica's lost cousin?  Will they figure out what Finn is marked for?  Will Sock burn down Applebee? Find out on this Part 3 of Geek Out!'s Monster of the Week special feature!

Have you met anyone whom you’d like to spend your life with? Today, we are listening to a song in Tâi-gí that touches on the relationship between you and your significant other – 一人一半 You Complete Me by 旺福 Won Fu. This track is the theme song of the Taiwanese TV drama The Making of an Ordinary Woman. The lyrics are simple yet powerful. People follow different life paths: some succeed, others don’t. But deep down, we all share the same hope to find someone who will always stay by our side.

Today's episode includes an email from an old/new listener and some good wishes for Mid-Autumn Festival and 10/10 National Day! Can you guess who sent these emails and where they are from?  If you would like to contact us and have your message read on air, please send a letter to P.O. BOX 123, 199 Taipei, Taiwan, or email us at English@rti.org.tw. You can also reach us on social media: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram at @Rtienglish.

Last week, we caught up with fellow Filipino Rhea Leorag, who’s been charting her own path across cultures — from Manila to Taipei to Seoul. We learned how studying in both Taiwan and South Korea broadened Rhea's view of the world — especially through the lens of music. Today, we dive deeper into Rhea’s time in South Korea — this time, turning the spotlight on the country’s dynamic music scene. She shares what stood out to her from the inside and also offers her insights on the music industries in Taiwan, South Korea, and, of course, the Philippines. Listen in as Rhea gives us her inside take on South Korea’s vibrant music scene and what sets it apart from the rest of the world.

This week, we’re talking about the death of French Queen Marie Antoinette, a nuclear testing "coincidence" between Russia, China, and the United States, and finally Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk's Nobel Peace Prize for their work ending South Africa’s apartheid regime! And of course, we’ve got some great tunes to pair them with as well!

Taiwan's largest and longest-running film festival, the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, will be held from 6 to 23 November. This week, Wanson shares his personal recommendations and the films he’s most excited about from this year’s festival programme. If you would like to share your feedback, please send your words or voice notes to: wanson@rti.org.tw You can also find Wanson on Instagram (@wansonscafe) and YouTube (阿善Café/Wanson's Café)

Which of the following is not true: A) Goldfish can grow up to 20 inches (roughly 50 cm) B) Declawing a cat is akin to amputating a human fingertip C) Sloths are lazy Just one of the above is not quite true. Based on the title of today's episode, you may have already guessed correctly that B is true. Declawing, or onychectomy, involves the surgical removal of a cat's claws along with part of the toe bone, akin to amputating a human fingertip. This is only one of the many reasons why the practice of declawing for non-medical, non-necessary issues is outlawed in Taiwan. Formosa Fauna is back this week to entertainingly educate you about animals both in Taiwan and abroad! Spend the next 20 minutes listening to this episode and feeding your noggin with fun facts about the animal kingdom so you can become smarter than all of your friends. In this episode we talk about:  – Taiwan's beekeeping VR  – Training cats  – Koi fish ...and so much more. Want to share your own story and...

Enjoy a playlist of songs made popular by social media!