Reported 8 months ago
Former President Chen Shui-bian and his wife were accused of laundering NT$10 million in the 'buying official positions' case involving former Taipei 101 chairman, Chen Min-hsuan. Taipei District Court ruled the statute of limitations on this crime had expired, leading to a dismissal. However, Taipei prosecutors argue that the judges calculated the time incorrectly and filed an appeal to the Taiwan High Court. The prosecutors fear that if this case is successfully dismissed, it may impact the other three pending cases against Chen, which have also been delayed on grounds of his health.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Recent conflicts over priority seats on Taipei's MRT have reignited debates on their abolition, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare supporting the retention of these seats. The Minister of Health and Welfare, Chen Shih-chung, expressed the intent to address the priority seat issue separately from other controversies within the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Protection Act', aiming to expedite the legislative process. However, disability advocacy groups emphasize that priority seats are only a small part of the Act and urge for a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation to better protect the rights of disabled individuals.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Encouraging older men to increase social engagement to avoid feeling unwanted and to prepare for potential caregiving roles later in life, experts emphasize the importance of building resilience and independence beyond relying solely on family. As life expectancy increases, planning for aging becomes essential, particularly for middle-aged individuals without children. Preparing for future care, especially for men, involves accepting assistance and being proactive in self-care to alleviate potential burdens on family members. The shifting dynamics in caregiving roles highlight the need for older men to adapt and challenge themselves to lead fulfilling lives in their later years.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
A power outage occurred at Xizhi Station leading to signal abnormalities and a train being stuck, causing delays for several trains. Passengers expressed concerns over the consecutive incidents following the recent train derailment in Hualien due to a landslide, questioning the state of Taiwan Railways. Some trains were delayed with conflicting information provided to passengers, ultimately leading to alternative transportation arrangements. Taiwan Railways advised the public to stay updated on train information amidst the disruptions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 21, 2024, at 6:20 PM, Xu Yinxiong expressed his love for the mountains and sea of Taitung after wandering there for a few days. He documented his surfing journey in his diary, highlighting encounters with young helpers, a vibrant yoga teacher and house manager, and a professional surfing expert. As an AI, digital healthcare, and big data analysis expert, Xu Yinxiong retired from Acer Smart Healthcare as the GM and is now a guest professor at Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Chief Consultant at HWA AN Medical. Despite his busy career, Xu Yinxiong is now focusing on managing his second half of life, starting with solo exploring and long stays in unfamiliar places like Taitung. Seeking advice from AI, Xu Yinxiong embraces lifestyle changes and connections with like-minded individuals, showing a new outlook on life and retirement readiness in the digital age.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
The ongoing COVID-19 situation has led to a surge in the purchase of fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications at pharmacies. Ponstan has initiated a price increase recently, with different variants set to rise by nine to twenty yuan per box starting July this year, marking about a five to six percent increase. This comes amid reports of shortages and the looming prospect of other drugs following suit with price hikes, affecting popular medications like artificial tears and eye drops as well. Consumers are feeling the impact as prices rise, leading to concerns over affordability and brand loyalty in the face of escalating costs and supply chain issues.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In June 2024, the baby boomer generation is gradually becoming senior citizens. Different from the older generation, they embrace retirement and good relationships instead of tormenting each other. Men are encouraged to empower themselves, join classes, and learn new skills rather than isolating at home. Initiatives like the 'Male Cooking Workshop' have gained popularity, attracting both men and women to participate in cooking classes and charity events. This shift in mindset aims to promote mutual well-being in retirement and empower men to take on active roles in learning and social activities.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
A woman in her 70s in Yilan, Taiwan fainted in a vegetable garden during high temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Despite being rushed to the hospital by emergency services, she was pronounced dead. The initial diagnosis indicated that she passed away due to heatstroke. The incident occurred on June 21, 2024, and was reported by SET News at 6:20 PM.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Due to the impact of landslides caused by continuous heavy rain, a train on the Hsizheng Line in Hualien derailed near the tunnel entrance without a rockfall warning system. Experts suggest that Taiwan Railways improve their adaptation strategies to climate change by implementing high-risk slope classification and introducing advanced monitoring equipment. The incident highlighted the need for better safety measures, such as extending and reinforcing tunnels, enhancing inspection routes, and collaborating with meteorological agencies for customized severe weather monitoring systems.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Taiwan's stock market closed lower on the 21st due to a sharp decline in the U.S. stock market and major heavyweight stocks like TSMC going cold, resulting in a 152-point drop to 23,253 points. The market is under short-term pressure with foreign investors turning from buyers to sellers and a significant increase in net short positions in futures. It is anticipated that the market may see a correction next week. Despite a three-week upward trend, the stock market shows signs of correction with a probability of consolidation between 22,400 and 23,600 points, influenced by the increased net short positions in futures.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
A Taiwan Railway train, the 229 train, derailed this afternoon as it passed through the southern entrance of the Heren Tunnel due to overflowing debris from the Daqing River covering the tracks. It was reported that due to the derailment of the entire second carriage, it is challenging to restore the tracks within the tunnel. The railway company estimates that the line will not be fully operational until tomorrow afternoon. Nine passengers were injured, with 5 sent to the Tzu Chi Hospital, 2 to the Mennonite Christian Hospital, and 2 left after providing their information. Dedicated personnel have been dispatched to comfort and assist the injured passengers. Repair units have been mobilized in the Hualien and Yilan areas, with restoration work predicted to be completed by tomorrow noon.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Taiwan Railway's Taroko Express Train No. 229, heading north from Hualien to Chongde, collided with debris along the tracks, causing the first and second cars to derail and injuring a total of nine people including the train drivers. Minister of Transportation Lee Meng-Yen promptly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. The incident occurred when the train encountered mud and debris flow near the south entrance of the Heren Tunnel. The injured were sent to hospitals for treatment, while the rest of the passengers were arranged alternative transportation with full refunds due to the delay. 525 passengers were on board during the incident.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Taiwan Railway's Taroko Express train 229 derailed between Chongde and Heping at 51K+300 on the westbound line due to soil and rocks covering the track from a landslide at the Daiqing River. The company is offering full refunds for passengers due to the delay exceeding 2 hours and has mobilized repair units to fix the track. The 525 passengers were transferred to another train and a few were sent to hospitals for treatment. Meals were provided, and arrangements for continued travel were made. The track repair operations are ongoing in the affected area.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Source: INVESTORS
Reported 8 months ago
Taipei - As of June 21, 2024, the domestic housing market in Taiwan is seeing a surge in both prices and transaction volumes with banks granting record-high mortgage amounts. In May, the five major banks in Taiwan collectively issued a total of 1,162.3 billion New Taiwan Dollars in new mortgage loans, marking a historic high. The interest rate for these loans hit 2.187%, the highest in nearly 15 years. Furthermore, the proportion of new Youth Housing Loans among the total new mortgage loans from these banks reached 40.6%, the highest in nearly eight years. The Central Bank attributes the increase in mortgage amounts to various factors including increased property transactions in major cities, high domestic housing prices, and favorable loan schemes driving the demand for homeownership.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Foxconn's stock price surged 7% this week, playing a key role in driving Taiwan's stock market to new highs as reported by journalist Cui Xinfang in Taipei. Goldman Sachs mentioned in a recent stock report that Foxconn is benefiting from the high demand for iPhones with AI technology and AI servers, which will boost future profits. They recommend a 'buy' rating with a target price raised from 227 yuan to 257 yuan, the highest among foreign investors. Foxconn's electronic business is expected to increase by 1% and 2% in 2025 and 2026 due to the increase in iPhone shipments with AI features. Additionally, AI server production will contribute to revenue, with the revenue ratio expected to reach 13% and 19% in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Despite the recent historical highs in the Taiwan stock market, a young stock whiz faced harsh short selling pressure as the Taiwan Stock Exchange revealed that a securities firm defaulted on buying and selling Taiwan Semiconductor (stock code 2330) shares, totaling 28.92 million USD. This incident was analyzed to have been triggered by misjudgment following Taiwan Semiconductor's surge past 900 NT dollars and further speculation towards the 1,000 NT dollar mark, leading to a situation where the stock price did not significantly drop after being shorted at high levels, resulting in the harsh short selling pressure.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 21, 2024, the central bank implemented the sixth wave of selective credit controls, while the Executive Yuan cracked down on fake housing loan borrowers to dampen the housing market. Top officials in public banks analyzed that the wealth effect, inflation resistance, and housing replacement demand are three major reasons why the housing market will continue to heat up in the second half of the year. With various measures in place, the housing market performance in the second half of the year is a focus of media attention.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Due to changes in inflation structure and consecutive rate hikes by the central bank, the ultra-low interest rate environment in Taiwan is unlikely to return. The five major banks in Taiwan have seen a significant increase in their average loan interest rates, reaching a near 15.5-year high in May 2024. The recent average weighted interest rate for new loans from these banks was 2.187%, with rates for housing loans, capital expenditure loans, and working capital loans all on the rise. The central bank's decision to raise the reserve requirement by 1 basis point may further push loan interest rates up, according to Deputy Director of the Economic Research Division of the central bank, Cao Tiren.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In the midst of an AI fervor driving syndicated loan opportunities, four major state-owned banks, including Hua Nan Bank, First Bank, Bank of Taiwan, and Cooperatives Bank, took the lead in organizing a 38.5 billion syndicated loan for Yageo Corp. The loan signifies the second largest for the second quarter of 2024, highlighting the strong demand for AI supply chain funding and promising substantial income in interest and fees for the participating banks. With a positive outlook on the syndicated loan market for the year, financial institutions anticipate a transaction volume of 650-700 billion US dollars. With Hua Nan Bank at the helm, the successful syndicated loan caters to Yageo Corp's operational needs and affirms confidence in the company's performance and future endeavors.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 21, 2024, the Chairman of Land Bank, Hsieh Chuan-Chuan, resigned upon approval from the Ministry of Finance and will officially step down on the 25th to become the new Chairman of BOT Bank. This move comes as part of possible comprehensive personnel changes in state banks in August. Other public sector financial institutions are also expected to undergo leadership changes later in the year, with considerations on whether to retain or bring in new faces. This wave of resignations amongst older public bank executives is being closely monitored to see if the new government will prioritize seniority or introduce fresh blood into these positions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In Tainan City, Taiwan, temperatures have exceeded 36 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days, leading to heat warnings and increased sales of cold beverages. Five cases of heat-related injuries have been reported in Tainan, while a woman in Yilan suspected of heatstroke has tragically died. The extreme heat has also caused disruptions in various regions, with thunderstorms affecting flight operations in Taipei and landslides blocking roads in Chiayi County. Weather conditions are expected to remain hot and stormy in the coming days, urging caution among residents.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In New Taipei City, the Yehliu area experienced an underground cable burning incident last night, leading to sparks and a power outage. Firefighters arrived to handle the situation, and Taipower cooperated by cutting off the power for about 40 households on Gangdong Road for approximately half an hour before restoring it. Shops along Gangdong Road all simultaneously lost power unexpectedly, affecting seafood businesses that were unable to operate. The fire department received a report of an underground pipeline on fire at 9:45 pm. Taipower explained that the fire did not occur on their lines but on cables owned by another unit, with power being restored by 1:10 am. [Read more] For more news, visit udn website.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Many street performers in Taiwan face challenges due to the lack of tipping culture and frequent reports of noise violations, making it difficult for them to make a living. Even with a street performer license, they find limited opportunities for performances and recognition, pushing some to participate in mobile markets instead. Suggestions to revitalize the street performing industry include holding street performer competitions during festivals and providing more performance venues to attract tourists.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
The first national legislator to be recalled was in Taichung on June 21, 2024. The DPP is gearing up for a recall battle next year, with discussions on anti-expansion of powers widespread. The People's Party Taichung City Chairman, Jiang Heshu, commented that there is a chance of success, with the key being swing voters. The Blue camp criticizes the ruling party for engaging in a 'profitless business' and aims to disrupt the composition of the legislature. The Green camp argues that the opposition party is promoting bills that infringe on people's rights, leading to a backlash from the public.
Source: YAHOO