The Central Union Oil (中聯油脂) scandal involves soybean salad oil found to contain excessive benzo[a]pyrene, a carcinogenic compound. Authorities said the company delayed reporting the problem, prompting recalls of affected oil and downstream food products and a review of food safety reporting rules.

Construction crews have begun removing underground foundation piles left from the former Zihciang Overpass in Fongshan District, as work continues on the Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line. The city said crews will use casing equipment to cut and pull out the old piles, a method intended to reduce noise, vibration, and dust.

As of early July, the second phase of the Gangshan-Lujhu extension (岡山路竹延伸線) was 28.53% complete, 2.94 percentage points ahead of schedule. The Yellow Line was 12.71% complete, 1.64 percentage points ahead of schedule, while the Siaogang-Linyuan Line (小港林園線) was 15.43% complete, 1.9 percentage points ahead of schedule.

A Kaohsiung city councilor has said one of Mayor Chen Chi-mai’s (陳其邁) biggest unfinished goals is the long-delayed effort to bring giraffes to Shoushan Zoo (壽山動物園).

The rebuilt Jiuru Bridge (九如橋) is expected to open to traffic July 31, with final construction work now underway, the Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau said.

At least six major malls or landmark retail projects are expected to open in Kaohsiung over the next five years, as transport-oriented development and high-tech investment reshape the city’s commercial map, the Commercial Times reported. The new projects are expected to shift Kaohsiung’s department store market away from traditional single-district shopping areas and toward a multi-center model built around rail and MRT hubs.

Each offense carried a sentence ranging from three years and eight months to eight years, producing a cumulative total of 663 years and nine months. The court, however, did not combine the terms into a single enforceable sentence. Under Taiwan’s Criminal Code, the maximum combined enforceable term for fixed-term imprisonment is capped at 30 years.

The north and south sections of Kaohsiung Station Ichibangai (高雄駅一番街) officially opened Saturday, creating what the city says is Taiwan’s largest anime-themed underground shopping area. The 2,300-ping complex was developed by Kaohsiung Metro Corp. and Mofan Co. (墨凡公司). It includes more than 50 brands offering anime merchandise, food and drinks, toys, collector displays, and consignment-style retail spaces.

Early-bird packages went on sale through the 7-ELEVEN ibon ticketing system on July 15. Each NT$938 package includes one wristband, five cocktail vouchers, and a limited-edition canvas bag. Tickets are sold by date, so buyers should confirm which day they plan to attend before purchasing, the bureau said.

The city’s Parks Office said it would inspect conditions at the park, replant grass in exposed areas, and work to improve drainage.