Reported 9 months ago
Source: WSJ
Reported 9 months ago
A Taipei City police officer from the Datong Police Precinct, Li Quanguo, was arrested for allegedly using his position to illegally access people's personal information and assist underground gambling operators in debt collection and confirming gamblers' identities, while potentially receiving benefits in return. Li and his girlfriend, Wu Jiaoli, have been detained for investigation on charges of corruption and leaking confidential information. Li had served 15 years in the police force and was accused of using police computers to access personal information and aid in debt collection activities by the operators since 2020. The investigation is ongoing to determine if there are other accomplices involved in bribery.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
The Financial Supervisory Commission announced that starting from July, both actual payment medical insurance and actual payment injury insurance will fully adopt 'principle-based claims', meaning all new actual payment policies bought by individuals will adhere to this principle. While most life insurance companies already follow this system, any remaining policies will gradually be modified during the transition period before October. This reform marks a significant change in the insurance market, particularly for medical and injury insurance policies, emphasizing compensation based on the principle of 'filling damages' and 'principle-based claims'.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
BuzzFeed article featuring 28 individuals, including the author, who were unaware that certain 'unusual' things their bodies did were actually 'not normal.' The article includes various personal experiences such as hearing strange noises, experiencing unique reactions to stimuli, having uncommon conditions, and more, highlighting the diversity and peculiarity of human bodies. Readers have found comfort and shared discoveries in this online platform where they realize that what they thought was common may not be so typical after all.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
South Korean 19-year-old figure skating goddess Lee Hae-rin, accused of sexually harassing a 16-year-old male skater during training in Italy, was banned for 3 years, sparking controversy. In her first statement on June 27, she denied the harassment, emphasizing a past romantic relationship with the individual, stating their interactions were 'just jokes.' Lee expressed regret for drinking during training but denied the harassment claims, mentioning they engaged in sexual contact as an expression of affection between lovers. The South Korean skating association investigated the incident, resulting in Lee being suspended for 3 years, causing her to miss the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
In Taipei's Neihu District, a pet shop owner surnamed Tang, known for his love for stray cats and dogs, passed away, revealing disagreements between the 1st and 2nd floor tenants. Tang invested over 4 million in renovating the shop but faced obstacles in obtaining a license due to a refusal to sign a consent form by the 2nd floor resident, leading to financial pressures and ultimately the tragic incident. The dispute over a 10,000 repair cost further fueled tensions between both parties, with conflicting statements emerging. Tang's daughter vows to continue her father's legacy by running the pet shop and seeks a peaceful resolution with the 2nd-floor tenants.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
From August last year to the end of May this year, the New Youth Comfort Loans have benefited over 50,000 households in a 10-month period. However, recent government measures to strengthen control over the loaning system, such as limiting loans to be granted once per person, may not effectively cool down the housing market, where the main driver of the market heat is public anticipation of inflation rather than the loan system itself. Critics point out that the recent government measures may not be focused on the right aspects, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on responsible banks and the inability to control non-loan purchases. The article further discusses challenges and potential loopholes in the implementation of the new loan restriction rule, which may impact first-time homebuyers and escalate the chaos in the housing market caused by the New Youth Comfort Loans.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
In response to issues like subletting and dummy accounts arising from the popular 'Xin Qing An Xin Mejia Purchase Loan' introduced in August last year, the Executive Yuan took steps to prevent abuse, including stricter pre-loan review and post-loan management. One major change is the introduction of a 'one loan limit' to deter investors from using Xin Qing An for speculation. The government aims to maintain order in the housing market and crack down on any misrepresentation or group purchases using Xin Qing An loans. These measures, led by Premier Su Tseng-chang, include requiring new loan applicants to sign a declaration of self-occupancy and limiting each individual to one loan under the Xin Qing An program. Authorities plan to thoroughly investigate any attempts to inflate housing prices or engage in other illicit practices. The introduction of the one loan limit targets individuals taking advantage of Xin Qing An's favorable interest rates for frequent buying and selling since its launch on August 1st last year, with penalties for violations including the halt of interest subsidies and recouping of any subsidies received during the period of violation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
The Ministry of Finance revealed statistics on the implementation of the New Qing An housing loans for the past ten months, showing that the majority of borrowers are young adults under the age of 40, accounting for about 73% of the total. Most loans were for properties with low total prices and small floor areas, with a longer grace period and loan term. With a total of 57,980 approved loans amounting to over 428.1 billion NT dollars, this initiative aims to alleviate financial pressures by extending loan terms, especially for small affordable homes tailored for young families.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Experts believe that the core issue with the Xin Qing'an housing loan lies in the five-year grace period, stating that regardless of stricter inspections on borrowers or more signed declarations, if the grace period is not shortened, all efforts might be in vain. The extended grace period allows for speculative activities, as seen in the case of a buyer who plans to sell the property for profit once the grace period ends. Experts suggest that the government tighten the valve on the grace period to a maximum of three years to prevent speculation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
In response to the government’s strengthened measures to prevent abuse in new youth housing loans, real estate agents express doubts about their effectiveness and suggest that qualifications and total prices should be restricted, along with the implementation of penalties for violating the conditions to prevent misuse. Different experts offer various perspectives on the situation, emphasizing the need for strict evaluation of borrowers' repayment capabilities and intentions. The effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen in practice.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Despite the new measures introduced by the government to optimize new youth housing loans, there are still two challenging issues to tackle regarding enforcement and determining gray areas. Even bank executives are unsure about how to proceed. The Ministry of Finance has instructed banks to expedite the verification process and clarify the number of violations. The loans have been criticized for potentially driving up housing prices, leading to urgent measures implemented by the Executive Yuan and Ministry of Finance. Although efforts are being made to enhance verification and control, challenges remain in practice, particularly in identifying rental cases and 'front' rental landlords. Clearing up these gray areas in cases and ensuring compliance with regulations is essential amidst reports of high-risk and non-compliant cases being discovered.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
East Design University is set to exit in July, but recent reports of owing millions in unpaid salaries have led to legal actions from its employees. The Ministry of Education explained that due to poor financial conditions, they reached an agreement with 94 staff members in 2021 to reduce academic research fees. The university later transitioned to borrowing salaries from February to June 2023, which were repaid in full by January 2024. The Ministry stated that the university ceased all enrollments in May 2023 and will close by the end of the academic year in July 2024. The education authority also mentioned reorganizing the public-interest board to ensure smooth closure and fair treatment of employees and students.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
LeBron James' son, known as Bronny, was drafted by the Lakers at the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, potentially playing alongside his father and making NBA history as the first father-son duo on the same team. Despite initial doubts due to his underwhelming college performance and mixed messages during the pre-draft process, Bronny has shown potential and follows a trend of second-generation players exceeding expectations. LeBron James' original desire to play with his son before retirement may become a reality as Bronny joins the Lakers following his high school success.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
On June 27, 2024, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced an upgrade in the travel advisory for visits to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to 'orange,' urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel. Li Teng-chung, Chairman of the Chinese Strategic Prospective Institute, expressed concerns that within just a month from May 20, there have been numerous significant events in cross-strait relations without any positive signals, indicating a general direction for at least the next four years. The MAC cited mainland China's continued enactment of national security laws and recent measures targeting individuals advocating for Taiwan independence, leading to increased risks for Taiwanese travelers in the region.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Even though the flights between Taiwan and Kinmen are always fully booked, there are no tourists in the streets of Kinmen. The increase in travel alerts to mainland China, announced by the Mainland Affairs Council, has sparked dissatisfaction in the travel industry, leading to concerns about the stagnation of cross-strait tourism. Local industry representatives and tour operators express worries about the negative impact on tourism and people's livelihoods, emphasizing the need for political decisions to consider the well-being of the public. The situation has also raised concerns about Taiwanese fishing boat crews stranded in mainland China due to the escalating tensions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
On June 27, 2024, China's Taiwan Affairs Office upgraded the travel alert to mainland China to 'orange.' This move followed China's announcement of 22 measures against separatism, leading to Taiwan advising against non-essential travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Shanghai East Asian Institute's deputy director, Bao Chengke, criticized the Tsai administration for exaggerating its confrontational policies, claiming it aims to disrupt cross-strait exchanges. He warns that these actions may intensify the difficulty of cross-strait communication, indicating a rising tension between Taiwan and China.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
The Mainland Affairs Council announced to upgrade travel to China to an 'orange' alert while allowing pre-arranged tour groups to proceed, highlighting a confusing policy logic. The decision seems to be driven by a 'counter for the sake of countering' approach, making cross-strait relations even more pessimistic. The impact extends beyond tourism, affecting various professional and business exchanges between the two sides, distancing the people and potentially creating an environment for further disengagement. Observers are closely monitoring activities like planned tours to Matsu by Fuzhou groups and the participation of mainland officials in the Taipei International Summer Travel Fair to gauge the future of cross-strait relations amidst escalating tensions post-President Lai's inauguration. The crucial issue lies in how to prevent further hostility escalation and avoid unpredictable conflict situations in the Taiwan Strait.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan announced an increase in the travel alert to Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to 'orange,' prompting criticism from opposition party lawmakers who claim the escalating tensions are harming cross-strait relations and turning the tourism industry into a 'disastrous business.' They urge the government to come up with solutions to the stalemate. The Nationalist Party emphasizes the importance of improving cross-strait relations for the well-being of both peoples and criticizes the government's approach as counterproductive. The Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers support the travel alert as necessary caution given recent incidents involving Taiwanese in China and new punitive measures announced by the Chinese government against pro-independence activities.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
On June 27, 2024, the Taiwanese Mainland Affairs Council raised the travel advisory level to China to 'orange,' advising against non-essential travel to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This decision was made in response to China's recent anti-separation measures. While tour operators expressed dissatisfaction, the Taiwanese government highlighted concerns for personal safety due to recent actions by China. The advisory, however, is non-binding and mainly serves as a precaution to Taiwanese travelers.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
According to MAC Vice Chairman Liang Wenjie, there have been many applications from the Mainland Chinese entertainment industry for this year's Golden Melody Awards, with a total of 26 Chinese artists approved to attend. The spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Mainland China, Zhu Fenglian, also expressed support for cross-strait music and film exchanges, emphasizing the desire to enhance cultural integration and development between the two sides.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
A man surnamed Wang was found unconscious by the shore in Penghu, without vital signs. Emergency services performed CPR and rushed him to the hospital for further treatment. The man, 69 years old, was discovered with fishing gear nearby. Authorities remind people engaging in nighttime shore fishing activities to have companions present for safety and assistance in case of emergencies.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Singer Cai Jia-zhen, nominated for Best Taiwanese Female Singer at the upcoming 35th Golden Melody Awards for her album 'The Secret of That One', has already received good news from the US. She won the 'Best Female Singer' and 'Best MV' silver awards at the Global Music Awards. Her album delves into topics such as domestic violence, parent-child conflicts, and MeToo movements. Cai hopes to bring more exposure to Taiwanese music culture and empower a better future for all. Excited by her wins, she aims to shine on the red carpet with a unique, sexy, and meaningful outfit for the Golden Melody Awards.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Following the high on June 20th, the Taiwan stock market saw a pullback but managed to stay above 22,500 points, with many individual stocks hitting new highs. According to Prudential's statistics, since the Dragon Boat Festival, there have been 24 large-cap stocks with market values exceeding one trillion yuan setting new price highs, along with 172 small and medium-sized stocks rewriting historical highs. This has boosted the performance of related funds, with small and medium-sized Taiwan stock funds outperforming average funds both in the second quarter and year-to-date. Four outstanding funds with over 10% performance include Prudential's small and medium-sized stock fund, Cathay Financial Holdings' small and medium fund, Fubon's elite small and medium fund, and Cathay's small growth fund. Fund managers attribute this year's strong performance to AI trends, with tech sectors such as semiconductors, PCB, and electronic components benefiting.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Amazon has announced that Prime Day 2024 will take place on July 16-17, with thousands of deals expected. The event will include discounts on a wide range of products, from beauty and tech to kitchen and home items. Early deals include savings on products like Apple AirPods, Estée Lauder skincare, Ninja Foodi grill, and more.
Source: YAHOO