Criteria for 結果共18筆

Discover the implications of China’s new national security regulations for Taiwanese travelers, as experts warn of increased risks and vague criteria that could affect individuals. Learn about the potential for political retribution and the concerns raised by Taiwan Thinktank’s researcher Wu Se-chih.

Explore the ongoing seismic activity in Taiwan, where residents face continuous earthquakes without prior national-level warnings on their phones, unless specific criteria are met. The Central Weather Administration clarifies the conditions for alerts and cautions against misinformation, amidst concerns of more tremors and adverse weather. President Tsai Ing-wen calls for caution, particularly in mountainous regions, and shares crucial safety advice for earthquake preparedness.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Administration in Taiwan has announced the approval of new applications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treatment coverage. This decision comes after the passing of lawyer Chen Chun-han, a prominent advocate for wider medication coverage for SMA. SMA is a progressive neuro-muscular degenerative disease caused by a mutation in the SMN1 gene, impacting muscle functionality and activities such as sitting, walking, speaking, breathing, and eating. The NHI Administration has included the gene therapy drug Zolgensma, which carries a price tag of NT＄49 million, in its benefits since the second half of 2023. The criteria for medication eligibility include an upper limb motor function index (RULM) score of at least 15. There are over 400 SMA patients in Taiwan, and by the end of 2023, 158 people applied for medication, with 145 approvals. The NHI Administration plans to hold an expert meeting in March to discuss expanding access to the drugs for all SMA patients, with a potential approval in the first half of 2024.

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced that a major overhaul of hospital evaluation standards is underway, with the possibility of abolishing limits on the number of medical centers. This has sparked discussions and concerns about the reliability of hospital assessments, particularly after rumors circulated that Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital may replace Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital as a frontrunner in the northern region’s medical center. Minister Hsueh assured that the core concepts of tiered medical treatment will remain unchanged, and this year’s evaluation plans will not be affected. However, he acknowledged that the evaluation standards for medical centers, which have not been updated in over 20 years, need to be reviewed. The Minister highlighted the need to amend criteria that have become outdated, such as the mandatory inclusion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is now a standard practice in all hospitals. The new evaluation standards will be announced publicly after a meeting, and medical centers willing to participate will undergo a trial evaluation. A draft of the updated standards is expected to be implemented within two years, in time for the next evaluation round in three years.

Taiwan’s EVA Airlines has been ranked the 14th safest airline in the world in 2024 by Australian airline review site AirlineRatings.com. The annual list features the top 25 safest airlines, assessed from 385 carriers. Air New Zealand holds the title of the world’s safest airline for 2024, followed by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Alaska Airlines. EVA Air is the only company from Taiwan to make it into the top 25. Japan Airlines, which was involved in a collision on Jan. 2, landed in the 20th spot. AirlineRatings.com evaluates carriers based on safety measures, flight records, serious accident records, pilot training, the age of their fleet, and more. The top 25 airlines are considered the creme de la creme of the aviation industry, known for their strong reputation in safety, innovation, and the introduction of new airplanes.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan has announced new training assessment rules for recruits, emphasizing strict criteria to qualify for additional allowances and professional certificates. This comes as Taiwan extends its mandatory military service to one year, with enhanced training activities including realistic military drills.

Pesticide residue 60 times over the standard limit was found in green peppers at Nara Thai Cuisine in Taichung, according to the city’s Office of Food and Drug Safety. The investigation targeted popular dining businesses and specialty restaurants recommended by the media and online personalities, including those recommended by Michelin Guides and food shows. The office tested 48 food product samples and detected 0.6 ppm of pesticide (Profenofos) in the green peppers, which is 60 times the permissible limit of below 0.01 ppm. Authorities have demanded the restaurant to cease using the batch of green peppers and will transfer the case for further investigation. The restaurant could face fines ranging from NT＄60,000 to NT＄200 million under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, while farmers inappropriately using pesticides can be fined from NT＄15,000 to NT＄150,000.

A strong continental cold air mass has reached Taiwan, causing temperatures to drop to between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. Meteorological expert Wu Der-rong predicts that temperatures could reach as low as 8 degrees in some flatland areas. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecasts daytime high temperatures of 19 to 22 degrees in Northern Taiwan and Yilan, while central and southern regions will experience highs of about 27 to 28 degrees. As night falls, temperatures in the north and Yilan will dip to 15 or 16 degrees, while the south and east will see lows of about 17 to 19 degrees. Rainfall is expected in windward areas of Northern Taiwan, the eastern part of the island, and the Hengchun Peninsula, with increasing probability as the evening progresses. The next cold air mass, described as a ＂cold wave,＂ is expected to bring further temperature declines, with the coldest moment anticipated on Thursday and Friday. Wu predicts significant rainfall on the windward side and the possibility of snow in mountainous regions. The cold air will weaken slightly on Saturday before strengthening again on Sunday night. Northern Taiwan will continue to be affected by the polar continental air mass, leading to wet and cold conditions, while central and southern Taiwan can expect cooler temperatures in the early morning and evening.

Taoyuan City has screened over 20,000 residents aged 40 and older for lung cancer through a free low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan program. However, only 18,000 have completed the examination, with 1,036 cases requiring further tracking and 63 confirmed lung cancer diagnoses. Taoyuan City Councilors raised concerns about the limited number of participating hospitals and the budget allocation for the program. The Taoyuan Public Health Department reported that 18 medical institutions currently provide the LDCT service, with plans to add four or five more next year. They assured that the program will continue with the same eligibility criteria and quotas, and aim to integrate smart technology to expedite the screening process. The screening service targets individuals with high-risk factors such as tobacco exposure, relevant medical and family history, occupational exposure, and air pollution. Occupational exposure includes individuals who have worked in environments with asbestos, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, or dust for over ten years.

Legislators at the Legislative Yuan are demanding that the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) clearly define ＂fresh milk＂ to differentiate between imported milk and domestically-produced fresh milk in order to protect local dairy farmers. This demand comes as the 10-year anniversary of the economic cooperation agreement known as ANZTEC between New Zealand and Taiwan approaches, which will bring about a zero-tariff policy by 2025. The MOA has committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to discuss the criteria for defining ’fresh milk.’ Proposals suggest establishing a clear distinction between domestic raw milk and imported liquid milk to ensure stability in contracts between dairy farmers and milk product manufacturers. It is argued that due to high-temperature sterilization and long-distance transportation, imported milk products should be categorized differently from fresh milk produced and stocked within Taiwan. The Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih stated that the storage period and processing issues for ’fresh milk’ will be discussed in consultation with the MOHW, and milk labels will be revised to emphasize ＂Taiwan fresh milk＂ for market segmentation, preserving the label exclusively for domestically produced fresh milk. Currently, the national definition of ＂fresh milk＂ refers to raw cow’s milk processed with heating, sterilization, and refrigeration for consumption without specifying a shelf life.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) plans to introduce Indian migrant workers to address labor shortages. The initiative will adhere to domestic regulations and is not an immediate importation of 100,000 workers. The MOL will negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on labor service cooperation with India to ensure quality workers without disrupting social stability. Several countries have had positive experiences importing Indian labor, and currently, around 2,700 Indian laborers work in Taiwan. Taiwan’s economic and trade relationships with India are strong, making labor cooperation a priority. After signing the MOU, discussions on industrial quotas will occur. The MOL will rigorously assess qualification criteria such as language skills, professional abilities, educational background, and good behavior. The aim is for the introduction of migrant workers to contribute positively to Taiwan’s economic and societal development.

The latest poll on potential collaboration between the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) reveals that 12% of voters believe candidate popularity in polls should be the sole basis for nomination consideration, while 20% think only party capability should be considered. However, the majority, at 47%, believe that both factors should be given equal importance. According to the survey released by the United Daily News, 60% of voters believe the popularity poll results of candidates play a crucial role in deciding the presidential and vice-presidential nominees for the potential KMT-TPP alliance. Other considerations for voters include the parties’ control over legislative seats (49%), popularity polls of the nominating parties (46%), and the ruling parties under their jurisdictions (40%). If the alliance breaks down, 33% of voters would blame the KMT, 28% would blame the TPP, 23% believe both parties are equally responsible, and 16% have no opinion.

A well-known French YouTuber, Ku, has been granted permanent residency in Taiwan after residing in the country for over five years. With a passion for Taiwanese cuisine and culture, Ku’s YouTube channel, ＂Ku’s dream酷的夢,＂ has gained a substantial following of 1.61 million subscribers. Meeting the eligibility criteria of staying more than 183 days annually in the past five years, Ku expressed that obtaining permanent residency in Taiwan is a validation of his sense of belonging. He also praised the convenience, efficiency, and creator-friendly environment of living in Taiwan. Ku’s connection to Taiwan has deepened following his residency approval, and he aims to promote Taiwan, boost Taiwanese nationals’ confidence, and foster a sense of identity.

Over 1.01 million people have benefited from Taiwan’s ＂Employment Insurance Parental Leave Allowance＂ since its initiation in 2009. This allowance, available to parents with at least one year of cumulative employment insurance, allows them to take unpaid parental leave before their children turn three. The subsidy is calculated at 60% of the average salary for the six months preceding the leave, with an additional 20% wage subsidy provided since July 2021, bringing the total to 80%. Since January 2022, both parents can simultaneously apply for the allowance, allowing them to apply for a subsidy for 12 months within half a year if they meet the criteria and take leave together. Assuming an average monthly salary of NT＄42,000, each parent can receive NT＄33,600 monthly, totaling NT＄403,200 for the half-year period. The program has also seen a rise in male applicants, with over 20,000 annually compared to the initial 4,000 during the inaugural year, indicating a growing willingness of men to share childcare responsibilities.

The highly-anticipated Taipei Dome in Taipei City is set to be unveiled by Mayor Chiang Wan-an on October 27. The mayor recently inspected the construction site and assured residents that he would thoroughly review the project and provide updates. Safety concerns raised by city council members were addressed by Chiang, who emphasized that the Dome primarily serves as a sports stadium and all events would be scrutinized according to established criteria and regulations. Although the usage permit for the Dome has been approved, the Taipei City Construction Management Office still needs to match the duplicate information with the approved content before issuing the permit.

Taipei City’s Department of Health introduces an egg-freezing subsidy for cancer patients under 40. Learn more about this initiative and its eligibility criteria.

Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che will announce work and class cancellation on Wednesday night the earliest if Typhoon Saol’s wind speed and rainfall meets the criteria for such a declaration.

As the pandemic situation gradually stabilizes in Taiwan, more and more home-buyers are seeking out apartments with ventilation systems that connect to the outside and separate restrooms for its residents.