Reported 9 months ago
台大婦產科仁醫示警，一位孕婦懷孕到中期後感染COVID-19，入院後病情急遽惡化，需要插管送加護病房治療。對於某些族群，COVID-19的傳染力仍然高，病毒雖已弱化，建議孕婦儘早接種疫苗。疾管署預計此波高峰在7月中旬到來，本土重症及併發症已增至817例，高於上周30％的增加。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has recently taken a hawkish stance, surprising the market with the US dollar index breaking 106 in early New York trading on June 26. This led to a widespread decline in major Asian currencies. While the Taiwan stock market surged over 100 points on the 26th, the New Taiwan Dollar depreciated significantly by 1.11 cents to close at 32.554, the lowest in nearly two months. Japanese yen also fell below the 160 level to a 38-year low, prompting speculation about Tokyo's intervention. Several Fed officials have made hawkish comments recently, with Michelle Bowman suggesting further rate hikes if inflation remains high. The Dollar Index climbed to 106.13, the highest since late April, causing non-US currencies to devalue. The South Korean won and Chinese yuan also depreciated, with the yuan hitting a seven-month low. The Japanese yen dropped to its weakest level in 35 years, leading to concerns about Tokyo's potential intervention. Taiwan's stock market rose significantly but the New Taiwan Dollar depreciated, breaking the 32.5 level. The influx of foreign funds led to substantial trading volumes in the currency market. Looking ahead, uncertainty remains regarding the Fed's interest rate cuts, influencing domestic and international markets, with the New Taiwan Dollar expected to fluctuate in the range of 32.2 to 32.8 in the short term.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
ASE Technology Holding, a leading global semiconductor testing and packaging company, projects its advanced packaging business, particularly in AI applications, to exceed the set target of $250 million, driven by strong demand. The company plans to expand testing capacity in subsidiary ISE Labs, Inc., considering increasing production in Japan, the US, and Mexico to capitalize on AI opportunities. With a focus on advanced packaging technologies, ASE aims to maintain competitiveness and contribute to Taiwan's AI ecosystem. Market research indicates a significant growth potential in the advanced packaging sector, particularly in 2.5D/3D packaging, with ASE strengthening overseas production capacity to meet market demands. Collaborations with major chip companies like TSMC also play a key role in meeting customer needs and market trends.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
During the National Founding Forum 2024, former Google General Manager Chien Li-feng cautioned that despite Taiwan's significant global sales of graphics processing units (GPUs), the country's usage of GPUs in enterprises and startups may not even exceed that of a single US startup. He stressed the need for Taiwan to accelerate AI application development and create a sovereign AI model, emphasizing the importance of diversification in the industry to avoid over-reliance on a single sector. Chien Li-feng highlighted the necessity for the government to foster AI applications and expand the domestic AI market, especially in areas like elderly care, to capitalize on Taiwan's AI development potential.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
NVIDIA CEO Huang Renxun visited Taiwan, where Taiwan's role in the AI manufacturing supply chain is gaining attention. However, the lack of execution capability in Taiwan's AI ecosystem was noted by experts, urging the country to accelerate AI applications as global companies set up R&D centers but fail to raise locals' wages. Experts emphasized the importance of AI laws and diversifying industries to avoid over-concentration. The forum discussed AI development and applications, highlighting the need for Taiwan to create added value through AI rather than being solely reliant on manufacturing.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Google發出8月13日舉行硬體發表會的邀請函，預計推出新款Pixel 9智慧手機、Pixel Watch 3智慧手表和人工智慧功能，比往年提前。Google新機上市將帶動鴻海和仁寶第3季營運。鴻海是主要代工廠，仁寶也參與AI手機領域。仁寶看好AI PC市場，預計下半年表現優於上半年。預料Google將推出Pixel 9、Pixel Watch 3和更多新AI功能，可能提前上市。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
According to South Korean media reports on June 26, 2024, due to the increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), Samsung Electronics plans to raise the prices of server DRAM and enterprise-level NAND flash memory by 15% to 20% in the third quarter, which is expected to improve performance in the second half of the year. With Samsung leading the increase, it will also benefit companies like Nanya Technology, ADATA, Winbond, and Phison in their future operations. The industry believes that Samsung's dominant position in the memory market and their focus on developing HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) will help sustain a healthy environment within the DRAM industry.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
After a roadshow in Europe on June 26, 2024, Lyon Securities released a report on the Taiwan semiconductor industry, highlighting the growing interest in Edge AI among European investors seeking new investment opportunities beyond the 10% cap in AI benchmark stocks. Within the Taiwan stock market, Lyon has a positive outlook on MediaTek, Xiang Shuo, M31, Kadena, and others, giving them a 'buy' rating. European investors are showing particular interest in the potential of Edge AI like AI personal computers, with Qualcomm and MediaTek expected to benefit in the AI PC theme and potentially gain market share from Intel. Among Taiwan manufacturers, MediaTek is favored due to opportunities in the high-end smartphone market, with a target price of NT$1,375.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Terry Gou, Chairman of Yushan Technology Association and Foxconn, expressed concerns about Taiwan's energy industry being hindered by the discontinuation of nuclear power and the lag in green energy development. He emphasized the need for a balanced energy policy to meet both industrial and public needs, aiming for 60% non-carbon power generation with 30% each from green and nuclear sources. Gou also criticized Taiwan's high carbon emissions despite self-perception of being environmentally friendly, attributing the stagnation in energy policy to past anti-nuclear sentiments. He urged for a more neutral approach to energy discussions. Gou's remarks were made at a forum organized by National Policy Foundation, where he also shared perspectives as Deputy Convener of the National Climate Change Committee under President Tsai Ing-wen's administration.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Concerns arise about Mainland China cars being assembled and sold in Taiwan, impacting local car parts supply chain. The Economic Affairs Ministry Deputy Minister Lien Chin-chang stated that current regulations only allow Mainland China car parts to be assembled in Taiwan, with a required percentage of localization. This percentage will increase annually, starting at 5%-10% and reaching 15%-20% in the second and third years. To prevent controversies like with MG cars, the Ministry is negotiating with local automakers like China Motor Corporation to increase the procurement of local car parts annually.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Recent incidents of power outages have raised concerns about the stability of electricity supply in Taiwan, despite the government's claims of no power shortage. With the peak summer season approaching and the decommissioning of the No. 1 reactor at the nuclear power plants, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) is implementing measures to encourage electricity conservation, such as offering incentives for households and small businesses to reduce electricity usage during specified times. However, the approach is being questioned by the public, especially considering the recent electricity price hike and the doubts surrounding the necessity of such measures when the government insists there is no power shortage. The need for these conservation efforts is seen as a result of Taiwan's energy policy focusing on a non-nuclear homeland slogan, which has limited the flexibility in addressing power supply challenges and may continue to pose stability issues in the future.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) will launch a trial program from July to November to encourage residential and small shop owners to save electricity. Participants need to install Taipower's smart meters and use stable internet-connected smart home appliances. By saving at least 2 kWh per month, participants can receive a minimum rebate of 48 NT dollars. Taipower plans to expand the demand response program to include residential and small shop participation. The program aims to save 640,000 kWh over five months, costing approximately 21 million NT dollars. In collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taipower hopes to promote electricity conservation by adjusting appliance usage habits and providing electricity bill discounts for users who cooperate with the program.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
According to the latest real transaction data, Nan Shan Plaza in Taipei's Xinyi District broke the NT$5,000 per ping monthly rental mark again, with one lease revealing a total rent of approximately NT$2.078 million for a single floor in March. This marks the second time Nan Shan Plaza has exceeded the NT$5,000 per ping mark, solidifying its position as the top office rental property in Taipei. Other top-ranking office buildings in the Xinyi planned area also include Taipei 101 Tower, with rental rates challenging the NT$5,000 per ping ceiling as well.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Since the introduction of the 'New Youth Housing Plan for Secure Family and Homeownership (New Youth Security)' on June 26, 2024, it has boosted the housing market demand but also led to issues like ghost tenants and unauthorized subletting. Following discussions among relevant ministries, the Ministry of Finance conducted a cross-ministry inventory and presented anti-fraud and optimization measures at a Cabinet meeting today. The Ministry of the Interior will collaborate to cross-reference applicants for rental subsidies and new youth security homes to prevent speculation in the real estate market.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Regarding a report by 'Liberty Times' on Chinese state media journalists highly involved in producing a local TV political talk show, People First Party legislator Zhang Qikai laughed it off as writing fiction, stating that the journalists must be very ignorant about political talk shows. Zhang questioned the credibility of such claims, citing the autonomy of Taiwan's political commentators and the strict regulations faced by Chinese journalists stationed in Taiwan. He urged for an investigation into the source of the information and emphasized the unlikelihood of such a scenario, labeling it as 'two major ignorances, three major impossibilities.'
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
As of June 26, 2024, in Tainan's Rende landfill, the accumulated number of discarded mattresses is expected to exceed 60,000, prompting the Environmental Protection Bureau to outsource crushing operations this year. Meanwhile, in Kaohsiung, they have been collecting 80,000 to 100,000 used spring mattresses annually and plan to implement a clearing fee system starting next year, with double mattresses costing 375-700 NTD to dispose of. Tainan expresses concerns about potential mattress dumping if Kaohsiung imposes fees, suggesting the need for synchronized implementation. The issue of how to handle the increasing waste efficiently and cost-effectively is being addressed by both city governments through different approaches.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
According to the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the average room rate in tourist hotels in Taiwan for the first quarter of this year has slightly decreased to NT$4,683 per night from NT$4,775 compared to the same period last year. The occupancy rate increased to 59.62%, leading to a slight drop in room rates due to market mechanisms. The highest average room rate was in Nantou County at NT$13,359 per night. Despite the high room rates, international tourist hotels in Nantou County had an occupancy rate of 71.5%, second only to Keelung City. Total revenue for tourist hotels in the first quarter of this year slightly grew to NT$16.64815 billion from NT$14.75483 billion last year. The secretary-general of the Hotel Association of the Republic of China, Chu Chien-hui, mentioned that with the return of tourists and increased occupancy rates, hotel revenues have reached the expected levels, resulting in slight reductions in room rates. However, due to rising costs of raw materials and utilities, the price reduction will not be significant.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Dr. You Zhenchao, the director of Songhe Clinic in Keelung, encourages dialysis patients to set recovery goals and actively improve their physical conditions to avoid becoming too reliant on care. By following medical advice and engaging in suitable dialysis treatments, patients like Aunt Zhang have shown remarkable resilience and determination, maintaining a healthy lifestyle even while facing various health challenges. With advancements in extended hemodialysis therapy, patients can experience better toxin clearance, reduced discomfort, and improved overall well-being, underscoring the importance of active collaboration between patients and medical professionals for a fulfilling life post-dialysis.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
On June 26, 2024, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration issued new standards for heavy metal content in food products, lowering the limits for baby and toddler foods, poultry and livestock organs, and adding limits for nuts and oilseeds. Products in circulation must comply with the set limits starting from July 1, with penalties of confiscation and fines up to 3 million NTD for non-compliant manufacturers. The stricter standards aim to protect infants and young children from the harmful effects of heavy metals like lead and cadmium, which can impact neurological development and overall health.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Chocolate, a favorite treat for many, is facing potential regulation on its cadmium levels in Taiwan. The Department of Health had previously announced plans to include chocolate in the heavy metal limit standards, with experts recommending alignment with the Codex's new cadmium content standards. The Food and Drug Administration is now collecting opinions and aims to implement the new standards as early as January next year. This comes after Consumer Foundation tests revealed excessive cadmium levels in certain chocolates, leading to concerns about kidney diseases, prompting calls for authorities to swiftly establish regulations. The FDA had previously announced plans to set cadmium standards for chocolate products with different levels of cocoa solids, but recent revisions did not include chocolate, sparking expert objections and a promise of a new announcement within the next two to three months to reflect Codex standards. Professionals emphasize the risk of long cadmium half-lives in the body and advocate for stricter regulations to prevent health issues such as kidney diseases and 'disease of painful pain'. The accumulation of cadmium in chocolate is linked to factors like the variety of cocoa beans, growing conditions, and contamination during the production process, posing higher risks as cocoa content increases, with cadmium being a primary pollutant. With the diverse types of chocolate products on the market, efforts are underway to gather more data for a comprehensive dietary assessment to ensure risks from cadmium exposure are properly evaluated.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
In order to rescue low egg prices, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Poultry Association will launch the 'Low-Producing Hen Elimination Program' in July, planning to eliminate 1.8 million hens. The overproduction of eggs in the country has led to prices dropping, with farmgate and wholesale prices hitting a new low in nearly three years. The initiative aims to stabilize egg prices by eliminating hens and reducing the number of breeding hens simultaneously.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Southern Taiwan has been experiencing high temperatures with temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius for the past two days, leading to an increase in heat-related medical cases in hospitals. Due to the recent hot weather and high UV index, many people have been feeling dizzy, weak, and fatigued, with an average of 10 to 20 cases per day, mostly affecting elderly individuals. One man was reported to have collapsed and fallen into a coma on his way from Kaohsiung to Pingtung due to the extreme heat, showing symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. Medical professionals advise people to stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses, as severe cases like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be life-threatening. Local authorities have also reported cases of heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations, emphasizing the importance of staying cool and hydrated during the hot weather.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
After the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates, many people are paying more attention to their appearance when not wearing a mask, especially focusing on the eyes. Concerns about prominent eye bags, droopy eye corners, and signs of aging around the eyes have become more prevalent. Seeking a consultation with a specialist is recommended for evaluating eye issues, discussing surgical procedures, risks, expected outcomes, and selecting the appropriate surgical method. Surgical procedures involving the relocation of eye fat to fill creases are effective in improving the appearance of eye bags, with options for both minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches. Post-surgery swelling and bruising are common but usually subside within a few days with rest and cold compress. While eye bag surgery is generally safe, there is a slight risk of temporary double vision and blindness post-surgery, so it's important to choose an experienced specialist for the operation. Various aging symptoms around the eyes, including droopy upper eyelids, narrowed field of vision, and excess skin covering the outer eye corners, can be addressed through procedures like botulinum toxin injections or brow lift surgery, depending on the individual's needs.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
A dead drifting pig found off the coast of Kinmen Island tested positive for African swine fever, marking the first case this year in Kinmen. In response, the Department of Agriculture has temporarily suspended the export of pigs, carcasses, organs, fresh, and processed products from Kinmen to Taiwan and other outlying islands until July 1. The area surrounding where the pig was found has been thoroughly disinfected, with no concerns about pig health at nearby pig farms. Despite the suspension, producers and products on the list of 'Risk Assessment for the Import of Hoofed Animal Products from Kinmen' can still be exported to Taiwan and other outlying islands.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 9 months ago
Big U.S. banks successfully navigated a hypothetical 40% drop in commercial real estate values during the U.S. Federal Reserve's annual stress test. With concerns rising in the commercial real estate space, the test results provide reassurance regarding banks' ability to weather severe economic downturns, even as the sector faces challenges like high vacancy rates and declining property values.
Source: YAHOO