Reported 12 months ago
The Ministry of Finance's National Treasury Administration in Taiwan announced a decrease in government debt in July 2024, with an average debt per person dropping from 274,000 in May to 258,000 in June. This reduction was driven by active debt repayment efforts by the Ministry of Finance. The total outstanding government debt stood at 6.38 trillion NTD, with long-term debt at 5.878 trillion NTD and short-term debt at 160 billion NTD. The government allocated a record-high amount of 115 billion NTD for debt repayment in the fiscal year, marking a 23-year high since the amendment of the Public Debt Act in 2002.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
During the review of the Insurance Law at the Legislative Yuan's Finance Committee on July 3, 2024, lawmakers proposed reducing the cap on overseas investments by insurance companies from 45% to 25%, potentially leading to over 9 trillion funds flowing back to Taiwan. This could impact the exchange rate, with questions raised about whether the New Taiwanese Dollar would strengthen to 24-25 or 25-26 against the US Dollar. The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank mentioned that the recent depreciation of the New Taiwanese Dollar was influenced by the strong US Dollar and foreign investors selling Taiwanese stocks, with efforts by the Central Bank to maintain exchange rate stability.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Private equity firms KKR and Francisco Partners are in a competition to acquire Instructure, a U.S. education software provider with a market value of $3.4 billion. Both firms are in the final round of bidding and preparing to submit binding offers next week. There is uncertainty if Thoma Bravo, holding an 83% stake in Instructure, will agree to sell it. Instructure, KKR, Francisco Partners, and Thoma Bravo declined to comment. Instructure offers software to educational institutions globally and its leading product is the Canvas learning management system.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
On July 3, 2024, at 6:40 PM, Da Ai TV showcased a story of compassion towards Ukrainian refugee families in Poland. A Ukrainian single mother with three children fled to Poland, where one child has an autoimmune disease and another has Down syndrome. Tzu Chi volunteers, in collaboration with charitable organizations, extended a helping hand to them. Despite the challenges, the family found support and care in Poland, including access to necessary medical treatment and emotional support from these volunteers, providing a glimpse of hope amidst their hardships.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
A recent report by Liberty Times stated that the New China News Agency interfered with Taiwanese political talk shows by sending journalists to monitor the studios. The chairman of The Beautiful Island News, Wu Zijia, filed a lawsuit against New China News Agency journalist Zhao Bo, accusing him of inciting subversion of national unity. Wu Zijia revealed that after the news broke, rumors circulated that China would take legal action, which sparked discussions. Wu Zijia claimed that this interference was an act of intimidation and potentially illegal, and called for the support of Taiwanese authorities and media personnel to address the issue.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
President Tsai Ing-wen established the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee on July 3, 2024, aiming to reduce cancer death rates by potentially lower the screening age for the five major cancers. The government is also planning to address the nursing staff shortage crisis by adjusting nurse-to-patient ratios and implementing policies to meet staffing goals. The committee will focus on promoting early cancer detection, improving public awareness of cancer, discussing national dietary health laws, and enhancing elder care to promote independence and sustainability, ultimately aiming to reduce the number of bedridden elderly individuals.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Summer has arrived, attracting crowds to swim and cool off in pools. Regarding concerns about contracting HPV while swimming, urologist Dai Ding-en noted that HPV, the virus causing genital warts, is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, making the risk of getting infected at swimming pools or public hot springs quite low. Dai emphasized that though many carry the HPV virus, it may only lead to infection in cases of wounds or weakened immune systems. To minimize infection risks, maintaining good personal hygiene, boosting immunity, getting vaccinated against HPV, and protecting wounds are essential precautions recommended by Dai.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Taiwan's railway system detailed disciplinary actions taken against 8 individuals following the derailment of Taroko Express Train No. 229 on July 3, 2024, which occurred after encountering a debris flow between Hualien's Chongde and Heren stations last month. Investigations revealed lapses in surveillance resulting in the failure to notify authorities before the accident. The incident highlights safety concerns and the need for improved monitoring systems within the Taiwan Railway Administration.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Due to heavy rains, landslides blocked multiple areas along the Suao-Hualien Highway and Renzhichongde Road. The East Area Maintenance Engineering Division of the Public Works Bureau quickly cleared and reopened the roads with restricted hours for safety. Daily passage will be allowed in three time periods until July 10, reflecting ongoing efforts to address damages caused by earthquakes and heavy rain.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
A well-known stall 'Tian Yixiang' at the Keelung Miaokou Night Market was ordered to close by the health bureau after a cockroach was found in the fried tofu and foreign objects were discovered in the meatball soup for takeout. This was the second food safety incident within a week, prompting the business to improve environmental hygiene and pass a re-inspection before reopening. The stall owner expressed sadness and vowed to address the issues. The health bureau inspected the stall, found violations of food safety standards, and ordered a temporary closure until improvements were made. Despite efforts to rectify the situation, another complaint about tainted food surfaced, causing further complications for Tian Yixiang.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
A U.S. judge dismissed Jay Alix's lawsuit against McKinsey & Co, accusing the consulting giant of misleading bankruptcy courts about conflicts of interest. The judge ruled that Alix lacked standing to sue under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, stating that AlixPartners did not assign him that right. The decision follows years of litigation between Alix and McKinsey, with Alix accusing McKinsey of running a criminal enterprise, which McKinsey has denied. McKinsey welcomed the dismissal, while Alix's lawyer plans to appeal the decision.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
On July 3, 2024, at 6:37 PM, Tzu Chi TV shared a heartwarming story of 60-year-old Aunt Zhang who successfully battled severe depression. Admitted to the Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital in April, the medical team encouraged Aunt Zhang to set goals as she was about to become a grandmother, leading her to actively accept treatment. In less than two months, her condition stabilized, and she was discharged early. Aunt Zhang expressed her happiness in helping her daughter during postpartum and caring for her grandson. The treatment provided hope and motivation, such as folding paper stars for the unborn grandchild. Aunt Zhang's daughter expressed her trust in the healthcare team as she prepared to become a grandmother. Aunt Zhang's future as a happy and caring grandmother awaits in mid-September.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan proposed to relax the requirement for a hiring assessment for foreign caregivers aged 80 and above, raising concerns from disability groups. Using age as the primary criterion could lead to difficulties in matching high-care demand families with caregivers due to limited foreign caregiver resources. The proposal was criticized for its one-size-fits-all approach, potentially affecting the quality of care for individuals in need of intensive caregiving.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan is set to amend regulations in September 2024 to broaden the scope of exemptions on the Barthel scale, benefiting an estimated 55,000 people. The proposed expansion includes individuals over 80 with long-term medical records, those with irreversible specific illnesses, and disabled individuals with long-term medical records in remote medical clinics. While some lawmakers have suggested relaxing the age criteria for exemption to facilitate hiring foreign caregivers, concerns have been raised about potential discrimination based on age and health conditions. The Labor Department aims to widen exemption criteria without age limits and include specific irreversible illnesses in the expanded scope of multiple exemptions, addressing issues related to hiring foreign caregivers and potential labor disputes.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Taiwanese legislators proposed to relax the requirement for professional evaluation by medical institutions for caregivers of individuals aged 80 and above (using the Barthel scale) to apply for foreign caregivers. While the Family Caregiver Alliance supports this gradual opening to reduce impact, clinical physicians argue against strict limitations, emphasizing the need for multiple channels for applying for family caregiver migrant workers. Different organizations and experts offer various suggestions, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to foreign caregiver salary systems and subsidies for severe or economically disadvantaged families.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Kuomingtang (KMT) legislators recently proposed amending the Employment Service Act to allow individuals aged 80 and above to hire foreign caregivers without undergoing the BARR scale evaluation. The legislative public hearing on this matter took place on the 3rd, aiming to broaden the criteria to include those with long-term medical records, irreversible specific conditions, and those from remote areas with such records. Around 55,000 people are expected to benefit from this proposed amendment scheduled for September. The discussion also touched on issues like easing policies related to foreign caregiver recruitment as part of the amendment to the Act.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
On July 3, 2024, a residential area in Sungai Teling, Malaysia, caught fire. Tzu Chi volunteers promptly went to assess the situation and distributed blessing funds to the affected families to comfort them. Despite the fierce flames destroying 5 houses, Tzu Chi volunteers visited the site the next day. Volunteer Wang Yaxue mentioned the importance of comforting the affected families and providing assistance. Volunteer Zhang Zhenming expressed gratitude that there were no casualties, emphasizing safety as a blessing. The appearance of blue skies and white clouds brought relief to the affected families, who received blessing funds from the volunteers to alleviate their urgent needs. The affected households expressed gratitude towards Tzu Chi for their assistance and heartwarming support. Through the care of Tzu Chi volunteers, the helplessness of the affected households after the devastating fire was eased with warmth and compassion.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
The Environmental Department recently sent a letter to relevant government agencies and local governments, identifying fifteen tree species confirmed to release isoprene, which leads to ozone formation and affects air quality. This sparked controversy as experts and environmentalists questioned the department's focus on trees rather than tackling vehicle and industrial pollution. Following a meeting with experts, the department decided to rescind the letter and work with the agriculture department to provide a list of recommended tree species after considering positive and negative effects. The department assured that planting any tree species is encouraged and will collaborate on more precise environmental policies.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
On July 4, 2024, the Taiwan government will approve the 'Nursing Manpower Policy Preparation of 12 Strategies Plan' to address the shortage of nursing staff in hospitals. The plan includes initiatives such as pushing for a better nurse-patient ratio, introducing AI technology to assist with administrative tasks, and expanding nursing workforce development. The aim is to increase the number of nursing staff to 240,000-260,000 by 2030. Measures will also be taken to support female employment, increase job security, and assist with childcare services to improve retention rates.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Famed Taiwanese TV personality Wang Jianmin, known for his role in 'Taiwan's Strange Tales,' shocked fans by announcing his diagnosis of stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma that spread to his brain. Despite not being a smoker or drinker, Wang's condition was initially mistaken for a cold. Wang has undergone months of chemotherapy and experienced significant weight loss. Dr. Cheng Jianbo from Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital highlighted the importance of early detection for lung adenocarcinoma and urged individuals with risk factors like smoking history, exposure to pollutants, or family history of lung cancer to regularly undergo screening to avoid missing the optimal treatment window.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
The controversy over three solid recovered fuel (SRF) power plants moving into the Taoyuan Science Park continues, with the Economic Minister expressing concerns about the environmental impact of foreign investments, while the Taoyuan City Mayor questions the amendments proposed by the Environmental Department, suspecting them to be tailored to benefit the new SRF plants in Taoyuan. The city government urges the department to ensure all SRF operators, new or existing, adhere to strict emission standards, reevaluate the purpose of the amendments, assess the feasibility and long-term effects of waste-to-energy fuels, and enhance waste management policies.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
The Earth Citizen Foundation held a press conference calling on the newly appointed government to take bold actions to address the issue of unauthorized factories on agricultural land, which have been on the rise despite regulations prohibiting new factory establishments on such land. The foundation highlighted a substantial increase in the area occupied by suspicious factories on agricultural land in the past four years and urged for effective mechanisms to curb pollution and enforce penalties on violators.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Samsung Electronics is expected to report a 13-fold increase in Q2 profit, reaching 8.8 trillion won, driven by the surge in demand for artificial intelligence technology leading to a rebound in memory chip prices. The performance of Samsung's semiconductor division is on an upward trend, with substantial growth in profit attributed to the rising prices of DRAM and NAND Flash chips, especially those used in AI chipsets and data center servers. Despite cost challenges, Samsung aims to compete with Apple at the high-end market with the upcoming launch of flagship foldable phones and health monitoring accessories.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
Nano Dimension（NASDAQ: NNDM）股票周三大幅飆升，公司股價收盤報16.7％的漲幅。根據S&P全球市場智庫的數據，在市場開盤前，Nano Dimension公佈了高於華爾街預期的第二季度初步業績。這家3D打印專家還宣布將收購另一家增材製造公司。Nano Dimension的第二季度初步報告顯示了串聯增長。這些新聞讓投資者對其感到樂觀，而公司的新收購交易條件也給了他們更多彈性。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 12 months ago
After the Taiwan Railways Administration was corporatized, despite aiming to recruit 936 employees, only 756 were eventually hired due to over 7000 applicants. Lawmakers have raised concerns over the lower average salary at Taiwan Railway compared to the higher-speed rail, suggesting the need to revise salary structure and increase benefits to attract talent. Taiwan Railway's recruiting struggles post-corporatization have led to suggestions for improving welfare and incentives to avoid further recruitment issues.
Source: YAHOO