crisis situation 結果共7筆

Experts warn of declining reservoir levels in Taiwan due to reduced rainfall this winter and spring. Lin Te-en, an atmospheric sciences expert, predicts the dry trend will persist into April, emphasizing the need for heightened water conservation efforts. Key reservoirs across the island are experiencing storage rates below 50%, signaling a looming water shortage. With the U.S. NCEP’s Climate Forecast System projecting continued low rainfall, public awareness and conservation are crucial to mitigate the crisis.

Read about the recent meeting between Li Hui and Thomas Bagger, where they discussed Sino-German relations, the Ukraine crisis, and peace negotiations. Li’s shuttle diplomacy efforts and China’s role in resolving the conflict were highlighted, with both diplomats expressing a shared understanding and commitment to maintaining open communication on the matter.

The Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, plans to help Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) seek budgetary support from the Executive Yuan to alleviate its financial distress. Taipower reached out to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for assistance, citing escalating international fuel prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Other global power companies, such as Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), and Électricité de France (EDF), have already experienced significant price hikes. Taipower’s rates are relatively low compared to the cost of power generation, resulting in policy-driven losses. As of 2023, Taipower has accumulated losses of NT$382.6 billion due to absorbing price increases to protect Taiwan from global inflation. The MOEA disclosed that Taipower and the CPC Corporation have discrepancies in predicting natural gas prices, leading Taipower to observe international coal prices for cost estimates in 2024. While mitigating Taipower’s financial woes in the short term poses challenges, Wang aims to prevent further losses. The MOEA will assist Taipower in lobbying the government for budget support once financial situation estimates are finalized. The decision to adjust electricity prices will be made by the Electricity Price Review Committee.

The escalating Red Sea crisis prompts shipping companies to reroute, with ten shipping routes from Taipei and Kaohsiung passing through the Red Sea. The Houthi movement, favoring Iran, targets ships in the Red Sea, leading international and local shippers to prioritize safety by announcing delays or re-routing around the Cape of Good Hope. Shipping companies opt to navigate around the Cape or temporarily suspend services, expecting disruptions in ship schedules. The situation mainly affects regional operations and does not yet have global consequences, resulting in no congested ports like during the pandemic. National shipping lines have temporarily ceased accepting cargo for ports in Israel, with further assessments on route adjustments to be made.

Shares of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. experienced a surge in volume, with over 70,000 shares traded, ranking in the top five in terms of transaction volume. This follows the suspension of services through the Red Sea by major container shipping companies, including Evergreen Marine Corp., Yang Ming, and Wan Hai Lines Ltd., due to attacks by Yemeni militants. The crisis in the Red Sea has led to global shipping lines rerouting, potentially alleviating excess capacity and boosting international freight rates. The stock performance of these ＂Big Three＂ container shipping firms has drawn significant attention. Evergreen Marine’s stock exhibited volatility, reaching a post-ex-dividend high of NT$148 but later dipping to NT$144.5. Yang Ming’s stock price also reached a morning peak but corrected downwards, with a trading volume surpassing 70,000 shares. Wan Hai Lines experienced a similar downward trend. These movements in the shipping sector are closely monitored amid the ongoing situation in the Red Sea, which impacts shipping routes worldwide.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong recounted their first encounter during Taiwan’s 1998 bus hostage crisis. Hou, who was the deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau at the time, was tasked with negotiating with the armed hostage-taker, Chen Neng-ping, who had schizophrenia. Hou discovered that Chen had two snipers on standby and successfully defused the situation with the assistance of Jaw and then-legislator Hau Lung-bin. Hou, who established mental health centers during his tenure in New Taipei City, pledged to prioritize mental health policies if elected president, particularly for the youth demographic.

Taiwan is grappling with a growing shortage of doctors in public health centers, affecting healthcare services nationwide. The situation has deteriorated since 2014, and the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, leading many doctors to consider quitting. Healthcare experts are urging comprehensive long-term planning to address the crisis.