Reported 11 months ago
Following the Huailien earthquake, older residents of the Taipei Chengcheng Garden community are facing challenges with maintaining their aging building's exterior walls. With cracks, falling tiles, and warped iron windows, the community is unable to come to an agreement on repairs due to the lack of a registered management committee. Unlike newer buildings in urban areas where residents are willing to fund repairs, the 'double elderly crisis' in this community worsens as external wall management deteriorates. The Taiwan Property Management Association Chairman notes that aging buildings over fifty years old face safety concerns in various areas and calls for urgent action.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
In contrast to Taiwan's long neglect of preventive maintenance, Japan established a 'Public Fund' for long-term maintenance over thirty years ago, along with a 'Long-Term Maintenance Program System' nearly twenty years ago. This system has become a key factor affecting community housing prices, ensuring the safety of building exteriors by eliminating unplanned buildings from the market. Scholars and experts urge Taiwan to include the mandatory payment of public funds in the 'Apartment Building Management Regulations,' defining the repair relationship and responsibilities of residents to effectively maintain exterior walls. This system has become an important document in real estate transactions, impacting property prices based on the presence and implementation of long-term maintenance plans.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 24, 2024, at 6:26 PM in Taipei, the window-type air conditioner on a building at No. 189, Sec. 2, Chenggong Road in Taipei was swaying dangerously, resembling a ticking time bomb. Nearby residents have been warning about the risks, but their pleas were reportedly ignored by authorities and management, showcasing the struggle of dealing with potential dangers like this 'time bomb in the sky.' Advocates urge for legislation on the inspection of exterior attachments to prevent such incidents in the future.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
In Taipei, there is a lack of awareness among apartment buildings regarding the structural integrity of exterior wall tiles, leading to potential risks of tiles becoming hollow and falling off. During a professional inspection conducted by external wall inspection companies, utilizing tools like a 'testing rod,' hollow tiles were discovered by technicians hanging from ropes at high altitudes. The inspection process is crucial to identify and address potential safety hazards, especially in buildings over thirty years old, prompting Taipei City to implement regulations for regular exterior wall safety inspections for buildings over eleven stories or older than fifteen years, adjusting the reporting intervals to every three years for buildings over thirty years old.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
In June 24, 2024, a nine-year-old girl and her mother were hit by falling tiles and concrete chunks from the 30-year-old building 'Jinghua Mansion' in Taipei. Despite safety net installations, fragments of falling tiles still remain. Following a lawsuit, all 13 property owners from the first to twelfth floors were charged with negligence for failing to maintain the building's exterior, causing severe injuries to the child. Prior to the first trial, the residents reached a settlement with the child's mother, leading to the withdrawal of the lawsuit.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
Cities are not blank slates, and the earlier urban issues are treated, the less suffering and lower costs will be incurred. Treating the 'urban disease' involves addressing the root causes; otherwise, it will result in even greater consequences. With rapid urbanization in the 50s and 60s in Taiwan, insufficient building regulations led to issues like external air conditioners posing dangers. As building materials and methods change with time, experts warn of the dangers posed by aging structures and external attachments. The responsibility of maintaining safe urban environments falls on both the government and citizens.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
A report from Taipei on June 24, 2024, describes Jisheng Air Conditioning sending three workers to install a second-floor air conditioner amidst light rain. The workers, equipped with safety gear and helmets, had a near-accident experience in the past. The Taiwan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Care Association chairman highlighted the dangers of low-priced air conditioning installations, linked to instances of fatal accidents in the industry. Despite regulations requiring safety equipment, many workers face risky conditions during installations, leading to 20 deaths in a decade. The association is pushing for legislation to ensure safer working environments for air conditioning installation workers.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
As of June 24, 2024, old buildings in Taiwan face the danger of flying debris such as pots and tiles during strong winds, leading to a lack of government intervention and reliance on luck by pedestrians. Despite initiatives over the years to address the chaotic and potentially dangerous external attachments like air conditioners and signs on buildings, the situation has not been resolved. Recent incidents of falling tiles and an air conditioner leading to fatalities have raised concerns, with calls for regulations and incentives for repairs. However, the slow progress in legislation highlights the challenges in managing and funding maintenance of older buildings, posing threats to public safety.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
22歲清華大學資工系的美籍印度裔羅姓外籍生，在暑假首日到屏東縣墾丁船帆石遊玩時不慎溺斃，他生前是AI編譯器的學霸。羅男與8名友人遊玩時，其中兩人疑似遭暗流沖走，他被尋獲時已無生命跡象。校園內對他的逝世噩耗感到難過，清大全球處也協助親人來台處理後事。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
Traditional snack 'sugar-coated haws' became popular in South Korea with stores popping up everywhere, but now a trend of closures are observed. According to data from the South Korean Ministry of Administration, 34 sugar-coated haws stores have closed from the beginning of this month until the 17th, averaging 2 closures per day. Concerns about the excessive sugar intake from sugar-coated haws have been raised, with some attributing the declining trend to health risks such as early obesity and diabetes, especially among children and teenagers. Sales data from 'BC Card,' the largest payment service company in Korea, also showed a decline in sales indices for sugar-coated haws stores since September 2023.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
The Vatican recently announced that Pope Francis has appointed Yang Yongqiang, former bishop of Zhoucun, Shandong, as the Bishop of Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, China. This move is seen as an effort by the Vatican to strengthen its relationship with Beijing. Chinese state media, Global Times, rare reported the appointment as 'Vatican Appoints Hangzhou Bishop,' acknowledging the Pope's authority in appointing Chinese bishops. This appointment is a result of a historical agreement reached between the Vatican and China in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 24, 2024, the Chinese Communist Party issued 22 points under the 'punish independence' opinion, which has raised concerns among the Taiwanese people regarding possible extradition from overseas due to the 'absent trials' clause. Scholars in Taiwan believe that 'Taiwanese independence crimes' fall under the category of political prisoners and should not be extradited unless involving violence. However, they also cautioned that the Chinese judicial system is notorious, posing risks of false accusations against Taiwanese individuals. Chinese scholars stated that the 'punish independence' opinion demonstrates China's use of criminal justice methods to increase penalties against advocates for Taiwan independence, aiming to draw clear boundaries between the Taiwanese public and independence forces.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that democracy is not a crime but rather authoritarianism is, responding to China's new anti-secession rules where advocating for independence could lead to severe punishment, including the death penalty. Tsai questioned China's stance on unity and criticized their labeling of various Taiwanese groups as advocating for secession. The Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General criticized the rules as absurd and damaging to political parties like the Kuomintang and the People First Party.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
The controversy over SuperS importing Brazilian eggs continues as Huang Kuo-chang, the convener of the Legislative Yuan group of the People's Party, revealed that SuperS had received a large contract worth 700 million NT dollars with a capital of only 500,000 NT dollars. He criticized the Ministry of Agriculture for inconsistencies in egg import figures, pointing out a discrepancy of about 5 to 6 million eggs. The Ministry responded, denying the shortage and stating that the different reports were due to using different box sizes for calculations.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
A company with a capital of only 500,000 managed to secure a 700 million yuan contract to import eggs commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture. This incident, along with the recent revelations of questionable practices, highlights the significant role played by the unsupervised Central Livestock Association. The lack of oversight and transparency in the import of eggs raises concerns and underscores the need for parliamentary investigations in such matters.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 24, 2024, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Secretary-General Lin You-chang led a two-day campaign rally in Keelung under the guise of anti-corruption advocacy but was actually geared towards promoting the dismissal of Keelung Mayor Xie Guo-liang. Lin openly supported the dismissal, with fellow party councilor Zhang Hao-han taking the lead, signaling a green camp-wide offensive. However, despite Lin's call to arms, with only one party councilor responding, it highlighted the complex political dynamics at play in Keelung.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
A group named 'Mountain and Sea Citizen Dismantling Action' in Keelung has initiated a recall of Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang, with the second phase of the joint petition reaching nearly the required threshold. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilors Zhang Haohan and Zheng Wenting have begun offering petition services to support the effort. The group perceives the involvement of 'green supporters' as collaborating allies, emphasizing that promoting the recall is a citizen-led activity. In response to this, the city government stated that it has 'no comment.'
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
Shaboozey, the rising country star, has announced his fall headlining tour in support of his album 'Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.' Presale begins soon and general ticket sales start on June 28. The tour will showcase Shaboozey's versatility as a musician blending country, Americana, and hip-hop. Fans can expect surprises as he explores different sounds and inspirations.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced an additional $100 million in funding over three years to boost affordable housing supply, aiming to address high housing costs and a chronic housing shortage. The funding will come from prior COVID-era investments in community lenders, and the Treasury is working on a new program to finance thousands more affordable housing units. Yellen highlighted that the housing supply shortfall has led to an affordability crisis, particularly affecting low-income and Black households.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 23, the Presidential Office announced a sudden addition to President Lai's schedule, revealing that he would address the controversial parliamentary reform amendment the following day. Despite previous indications from the Executive Yuan and the DPP legislative caucus of seeking a constitutional interpretation on the reform bill, few expected the first move to come from the Presidential Office. By strategically timing the press release on a Sunday evening, the Office aimed to control public opinion, ensuring front-page coverage in major newspapers the next day, with the press conference emphasizing the President's stance. However, some media were selectively omitted from asking questions during the event, contradicting the intention of an 'open and inclusive' discourse in the so-called 'open hall' setting.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
President Lai Ching-te has been criticized for causing social division despite claiming to safeguard constitutionalism. In a past incident in 2015, the Control Yuan impeached Lai, who was then the mayor of Tainan, for refusing to attend the city council meetings unless certain conditions were met. His recent decision to postpone the National Congress report due to the passing of a controversial bill has raised concerns. Lai's persistent behavior in these incidents has highlighted his strong-willed nature, which has earned him both praise and criticism.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her stance on parliamentary reform legislation by emphasizing 'safeguarding constitutional governance and protecting the people,' announcing her intention to seek a constitutional interpretation and temporary dispossession. This action marks Tsai's first public address since taking office. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) criticized Tsai's commitment to upholding constitutional governance, with KMT Chairman Eric Chu expressing disappointment and accusing Tsai of waging war against democracy by seeking a constitutional interpretation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 24, 2024, the Executive Yuan submitted for reconsideration the parliamentary reform bill, and during a legislative session, both reconsideration proposals received 113 votes each, with all legislators present, resulting in 51 in favor and 62 against, leading to the rejection of the reconsideration. The DPP government introduced the parliamentary reform bill, prompting multiple parties to request a constitutional interpretation, with criticisms from the ruling party on granting expanded powers and infringing on basic rights, facing strong opposition from the KMT and NPP. Key Q&A coverage includes inquiries about the constitutionality of questioning the president in the Legislative Yuan, concerns about transparency with the hand-voting method, the definition of 'contempt of parliament,' and the implications of government officials making misleading statements in official proceedings.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
On June 24, 2024, following the rejection of the parliament reform revision in the legislature, President Lai Ching-te personally addressed the issue of constitutional interpretation with the theme 'Protecting the Constitution, Safeguarding the People.' President Lai's proactive involvement in the parliament reform and constitutional interpretation issue has escalated tensions between the ruling and opposition parties, raising questions about his intentions and whether he aims to rally support for a recall campaign in the future. By taking a firm stance and sparking conflicts, President Lai may be strategizing to polarize voters and gain an advantage in potential recall efforts, but this approach could also hinder national governance and economic progress while risking further polarization.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 11 months ago
Journalists Tang Xiaotian, Lin Minghan, and Huang Wanting/Taipei reports on June 24, 2024, at 6:18 PM, where the proposal submitted by the Executive Yuan for deliberation was rejected last Friday, with KMT legislators raising banners advocating for parliamentary reform and anti-corruption investigations. Opposition parties are racing against the justices in case they temporarily suspend the enforcement of the new law, to prevent any lag time in applying the new law. Both the KMT and the People's Party do not rule out inviting President Lai to deliver a state of the nation address after tomorrow under the new law, to establish investigative committees or groups to investigate the Soohsi, vaccines, and other cases; while the DPP urges opposition parties to act with restraint and not to confront the constitution.
Source: YAHOO