Best Taiwan Current Affairs Podcasts (2025)

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“An exceptional award for exceptional people”: Joan Baez to receive Václav Havel Centre Lifetime Achievement Award 6:48

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4h ago6:48

6:48

Joan Baez, the legendary singer and activist, will receive the Václav Havel Centre’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday night at its annual Gala in New York. A close friend of the late dissident-turned-president, Baez has long been connected to Havel’s legacy, which makes the honour especially significant. Ahead of the event, I spoke with Bill …

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From Prague to Sumatra: František Příbrský and the fight to save the Slow Loris 17:17

4h ago17:17

17:17

František Příbrský is a zoologist, field conservationist and nature lover who has devoted his life to protecting animals in the wild. He divides his time between the Czech Republic, where he is head of In Situ projects at Ostrava Zoo and the island of Sumatra, where he founded the Kukang Rescue Program, an NGO working to protect slow lorises in the…

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Quantum leap in Ostrava: Czechia’s first public quantum computer VLQ officially starts working 4:07

5h ago4:07

4:07

Czechia has officially launched its first quantum computer, nicknamed VLK, at the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center in Ostrava. Built with EU support, the machine will serve universities, research institutions, and projects such as atmospheric monitoring with the European Space Agency.

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EZ News 09/25/25 6:09

2h ago6:09

6:09

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 128-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,067 on turnover of 10-billion N-T. The market's recent record breaking winning streak stuttered on Wednesday and it closed slightly lower, as investors took cues from a decline on Wall Street overnig…

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Will Optus ever be held accountable? 14:22

2h ago14:22

14:22

It's been a week since an Optus outage left hundreds of customers unable to call triple 0 in an emergency. But while there’s been widespread outrage in the days since, is anyone really holding the telco to account for the deadly error? Today, technology expert from Melbourne University Suelette Dreyfus on Optus's astonishing failure. Featured: Dr S…

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When it clicks, it’s like flying, says new Chief Conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra 3:36

2h ago3:36

3:36

Elias Grandy, currently with the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra in Japan, has been named the new Chief Conductor of the prestigious Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. He will take up the post next year, leading the Orchestra into its 100th anniversary season.

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Prague exhibition marks 900 years since the death of medieval chronicler Cosmas 3:44

3h ago3:44

3:44

A new exhibition on Cosmas opens tonight in the Mirror Chapel of Prague’s Klementinum, marking 900 years since the death of the country’s most famous chronicler and author of Chronica Boemorum (the Chronicle of the Bohemians), the first written account of Czech history.

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Canada Takes Its Comedians For Granted 32:06

6m ago32:06

32:06

The honorary mayor of Dildo, Newfoundland is back on the air, but the threat to free speech remains. The Jimmy Kimmel saga is a reminder of the crucial role comedy plays in times of political turmoil, so why isn’t there more comedy in Canada right now? Plus, an update on the Alberta separatist movement. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Pr…

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EZ News 09/24/25 6:00

1d ago6:00

6:00

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 147-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,389 on turnover of 10.8-billion N-T. The market continued to close at yet more record highs on Tuesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing extending its streak of record finishes amid optimism over …

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What Did Twenty Years of Western Intervention in Afghanistan Achieve? With Jon Lee Anderson 37:06

1d ago37:06

37:06

For more than 40 years, world-renowned foreign correspondent Jon Lee Anderson has been reporting on wars, crises and revolutions, from Latin America to the Middle East and Africa. Throughout his career he has made countless visits to Afghanistan, bearing witness to the Soviet invasion and the subsequent US interventions from 9/11 to the present day…

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Laura Tingle on how Trump snubbed Albanese (again) 15:16

17h ago15:16

15:16

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the UN General assembly in New York, confirming Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state. But a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump, which was expected on the sidelines, remains elusive. Should we care if the Prime Minister never sits down with the US President? Today, ABC Global Affairs Editor…

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Why does Mexico owe the US water? 22:59

20h ago22:59

22:59

The major rivers of the Rio Grande and the Colorado run through both the United States and Mexico and they are the source of a water sharing agreement between the two countries that dates back to 1944. Under the terms of this treaty, Mexico must send 430 million cubic metres of water per year from the Rio Grande to the US, to supply Texas and dozen…

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Lasvit’s Herbarium unveiled as Czechia’s official gift to the United Nations 3:03

23h ago3:03

3:03

Starting this week, Czechia has a new gift on display at the United Nations in New York. The glass installation, titled Herbarium and created by Czech glass company Lasvit, was officially unveiled on Monday by President Petr Pavel.

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Shared responsibility: Czech leaders call for national resilience as war risk grows 5:52

24h ago5:52

5:52

In the wake of repeated violations of NATO airspace, the Western allies have signaled their readiness to defend “every inch of NATO territory”, warning Putin that the next Russian fighter jet that violates NATO airspace will be shot down. As Europe bolsters its defenses and prepares for possible conflict – Czech leaders are bringing home the messag…

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It's Do or Die Time for Mark Carney 34:58

22h ago34:58

34:58

Canada recognized Palestine as a state, Pierre “take me home country roads” Poilievre is back in town, Freeland is on a mission to Ukraine, and the pressure is building on Prime Minister Mark Carney. Host Sam Konnert sits down with Mickey Djuric to break down what’s happened this fall sitting, who’s in, who’s out, and if the Carney honeymoon phase …

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Kafka in Prague, then and now: Agnieszka Holland’s new film hits Czech cinemas on Thursday 3:22

1d ago3:22

3:22

Following its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 5th, Agnieszka Holland’s highly anticipated film about Prague author Franz Kafka finally reaches Czech cinemas this Thursday. Offering a fresh perspective, “Franz” delves into the inner world of the famous writer.

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TTTIFA Bringing Arts to Old Taipei 11:41

1d ago11:41

11:41

Coming to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge spoke to Matt Fullen and Taylor Chuang about one of Taiwan’s premier music and arts festivals. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

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EZ News 09/23/25 5:39

2d ago5:39

5:39

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 240-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 26,121 on turnover of 9.8-billion N-T. The market closed at another record high on Monday, rising more than 300 points, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing hit a record high on the back of ample (充足) li…

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Charlie Kirk’s memorial and Trump’s attack on free speech 15:22

1d ago15:22

15:22

Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there’s been raging debate in the US about free speech. At a memorial for him in Arizona, President Trump described Mr Kirk as a ‘martyr for American freedom’ while simultaneously attacking the likes of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was suspended last week over comments he made about Kirk’s death. …

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Taiwan’s Imperial Chinese treasures go on display in Prague for the first time in Europe 3:33

2d ago3:33

3:33

The National Museum in Prague is hosting 100 Treasures, 100 Stories. On loan from the National Palace Museum in Taipei, it brings masterpieces of Chinese art to Europe for the very first time. At its heart is the famous jadeite cabbage, often compared to the Mona Lisa for its popularity and cultural significance.…

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Czechia not ready to recognize Palestinian state at UN General Assembly 3:24

2d ago3:24

3:24

With growing international support for a Palestinian state, will Czechia be under pressure to change its pro-Israeli stance? Ahead of his departure for the UN General Assembly, President Petr Pavel said that recognizing a Palestinian state is not possible without the involvement of all parties, including Israel.…

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Interview With a Guy Who Died 38:17

2d ago38:17

38:17

One December night in 2014, Matthew Church died from sudden cardiac arrest. Now, back from the dead, Matthew Church joins us in studio to talk about dying, coming back, and what exactly happened during those eight minutes when his heart stopped beating. Credits: Host: Jesse Brown Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), ma…

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EZ News 09/22/25 5:34

2d ago5:34

5:34

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 21-points this morning from Friday's close, at 25,599 on turnover of 4.7-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Friday despite setting more record highs through much of last week and after Wall Street rallied on the back of tech stocks led by Nvidia and I…

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Who are the Trailblazing Women Hidden From Our History? With Women's Prize Founder Kate Mosse 53:47

4d ago53:47

53:47

Did you know that Mary Shelley was a teenager when she started writing Frankenstein in 1814? Or that England’s most prolific goal scorer - man or woman - was superstar striker Lily Parr, who scored a staggering 997 goals between 1919 and 1951? When Kate Mosse launched the #WomenInHistory campaign, asking people to highlight women whose achievements…

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How Google search lost its way 14:31

3d ago14:31

14:31

Once praised for its simplicity and speed, Google search is now facing criticism for excessive advertising and frustrating search results. Today, 404 Media co-founder Emmanuel Maiberg, on what’s gone wrong with Google search, how it impacts everyday users, and what this means for the future of one of the internet’s most essential tools. Featured: E…

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Is the Data on Climate Change More Optimistic than We Thought? With Hannah Ritchie 42:29

5d ago42:29

42:29

What if the real story of climate change is far more hopeful than we’ve been led to believe? With so much doomsday reporting and general misinformation on climate change, it can be hard to know what’s true - and what actually matters. In this episode, bestselling author and data scientist Hannah Ritchie joins us to examine the data on the biggest q…

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A date in Central Park – early recordings give a taste of Czech life in New York over a century ago 27:04

4d ago27:04

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Several hundred sound recordings going back to the beginning of the last century have been discovered in American archives, opening a window onto the world of the Czech immigrant community at the beginning of the twentieth century.

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A “Stolperstein” laid for Czech writer and journalist Pavel Tigrid 2:56

5d ago2:56

2:56

In the Prague district of Vinohrady, a “Stolperstein” was laid this week for the late Czech journalist, writer, and former culture minister Pavel Tigrid. The installation was initiated by the German-Czech Future Fund and the unveiling was attended by members of his family.

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Masaryk’s “last words” envelope opened: insights into a nation’s founding president 4:22

5d ago4:22

4:22

At Lány Chateau, Czech archivists opened a long-sealed envelope thought to hold the final words of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Instead, they discovered reflections written in 1934, when the first president was already gravely ill. The notes revealed Masaryk’s candid views on politics, mortality, and human weakness.…

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Ben Mulroney Says He's Biased and Not a Journalist. He's Global's New Politics Host. 32:49

5d ago32:49

32:49

Global News hires a non-journalist to cover politics. Plus, parliament is back and it’s business as usual. With Canada in an existential crisis, is it time to stop the partisan shenanigans? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director o…

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Jan Masaryk’s art collection, gifted to the Czech state, comes “home” 2:56

5d ago2:56

2:56

A painting by Oskar Kokoschka, prints by Václav Hollar, a drawing by Mikoláš Aleš : those and other art works from the estate of former foreign minister Jan Masaryk have been gifted to the Czech state, courtesy of the family of Lumír Soukup, Masaryk’s personal secretary in London. At a ceremony at Černín Palace this week Foreign Minister Jan Lipavs…

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EZ News 09/19/25 5:54

6d ago5:54

5:54

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 25-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 25,795 on turnover of $10-billion N-T. Taiwan shares closed at a record high Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates and signaled more reductions this year following its two-day policy m…

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Scarred farmland 41:29

5d ago41:29

41:29

We talk the alarming Meinong Grand Canyon, an updated version of a civil defense handbook, a proposal for the creation of a two-round absolute majority system for choosing the next president and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

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Ian McEwan on Speculative Fiction, Lost Poems and What We Can Know 42:00

7d ago42:00

42:00

Ian McEwan is the critically acclaimed author of nineteen novels and two short story collections. His novels include Atonement, Enduring Love, The Children Act and On Chesil Beach, and he is the recipient of many awards including the Booker Prize, the Somerset Maugham Award and the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award. In this episode, McEwan sits dow…

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Why royal diplomacy works on Trump 15:34

6d ago15:34

15:34

Donald Trump was in his element at a state dinner hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle. But outside the grounds, protesters served as a reminder that controversy continues to follow the President, including lingering questions over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. As the UK weighs the diplomatic value of his visit, attention is also turning to…

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Švanda Theatre’s North American tour to celebrate Salivarová and Škvorecký 3:39

6d ago3:39

3:39

Prague’s Švanda Theatre has embarked on a tour of the United States and Canada, which will include the English-language premiere of A Girl on a Trampoline, a play inspired by the lives of Zdena Salivarová and Josef Škvorecký, two exceptional novelists and translators who founded the exile publishing house ’68 Publishers. Ruth Fraňková spoke with Da…

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Masaryk’s great-great-grandson Tom Kotík on art, music, and the family legacy 5:19

6d ago5:19

5:19

Tom Kotík, artist and musician based in New York, is the great-great-grandson of Czechoslovakia’s first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. He returned to Prague to witness the unveiling on Friday of a sealed envelope believed to contain Masaryk’s last words. In an interview for Radio Prague International, he reflects on his Czech-American identity,…

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EZ News 09/18/25 6:13

6d ago6:13

6:13

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 104-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 25,543 on turnover of 5.8-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Wednesday as investors locked in profits from the previous session ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's two-day policymakin…

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Putting the Music in Taiwan Cinema — Thomas Foguenne 11:14

6d ago11:14

11:14

A remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in subtle and evocative ways. ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks with Thomas Foguenne, a composer originally from Belgium, but who now splits his time in Taiwan, where he has created soundt…

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Charlie Kirk and a new wave of political violence 15:19

7d ago15:19

15:19

Tyler Robinson, the 22 year-old suspect in the assassination of right-wing US political activist Charlie Kirk has been charged, including with aggravated murder. But while America is accustomed to political assassinations, the response since the shooting has been out of the ordinary. Today, long time US historian, Dan Carter on what’s unfolded sinc…

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Student debate organizer: “If you want young people to believe in politics, they must get involved” 3:12

7d ago3:12

3:12

Zavolíme! is a unique project that organizes student-led election debates. Created by students, for students, its name loosely translates to ‘We Will Vote’- a fitting reflection of its mission to boost youth voter turnout, promote civic engagement, and connect formal and informal education.

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Canada's Psychotic Codependency with Assassination America 47:40

7d ago47:40

47:40

Canadians react to the assasination of Charlie Kirk. The killing of a prominent US conservative dominates Canadian headlines and online comments trigger partisan debates, doxing, and threats of violence. Should we be concerned about political violence in Canada? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Produ…

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Prague’s Výtoň Bridge to get new lease on life 3:07

7d ago3:07

3:07

After drawn-out disputes between the Czech Railway Administration and conservationists over the future of Výtoň Bridge –one of Prague’s iconic landmarks- it has been announced that the bridge will be reconstructed, not replaced. The news has raised a cheer from both heritage experts and the public.

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EZ News 09/17/25 5:26

7d ago5:26

5:26

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 85-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 25,543 on turnover of 6-billion N-T. The market closed at yet another new high on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing set a closing record after Wall Street finished at all-time highs overnight…

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Sotheby’s Talks | Custodians of Taste: Pauline Karpidas and the Women who Shape the Art World 53:28

9d ago53:28

53:28

On today’s episode, an episode from our friends at Sotheby's exploring the remarkable collecting journey of Pauline Karpidas, one of the most influential art patrons of the past fifty years. Ahead of Sotheby’s landmark sale of her extraordinary Surrealist collection this September, collector Tiquio Acentio, curator Jasper Sharp, and Sotheby’s World…

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Alan Kohler on the new emissions target 15:12

8d ago15:12

15:12

The government is set to release a new carbon emissions target, dumping the 2030 ambition for a new 2035 goal. But how much of the process is about the climate and how much is pure politics? Today, ABC finance expert Alan Kohler on this week’s dire climate risk assessment, and what our new target will really achieve. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC Fina…

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Is it time to copyright your face? 22:58

8d ago22:58

22:58

Deepfakes are videos, picture or audio clips made with artificial intelligence to look real. Although sometimes used for fun, they can also be used to defame or discredit people. Anyone from politicians to celebrities to normal members of the public can become the subject of deepfake imagery. So how can we protect our image from being used maliciou…

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Michelle Rempel Garner on What Conservatives Want to Do To Immigration 41:21

8d ago41:21

41:21

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner sits down with host Noor Azrieh to unpack why she thinks we should scrap the temporary foreign worker program, and how far she’d go to overhaul immigration. Host: Noor Azrieh Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Prod…

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EZ News 09/16/25 6:36

8d ago6:36

6:36

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. District court once again grants bail to Ko Wen-je and Angela Ying The Taipei District Court has upheld its previous ruling and approved bail for Taiwan People's Party founder and former Chairman Ko Wen-je . The hearing came after the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office appealed the court's…

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Laura Tingle on China and our military spending 15:34

9d ago15:34

15:34

A massive military parade in Beijing recently revealed just how advanced China’s weaponry has become. It even includes an intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit key military bases in Guam. So, what does this mean for Australia's military purchases and strategy? Today, ABC Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on why we might need a total re…