Day 結果共614筆

The Taiwan Railway Corporation (formerly, the TRA) plans to increase train schedules from Feb. 6-15 to meet Lunar New Year travel demand. This will include adding 234 train runs across all lines, resulting in a 6% capacity increase. Compared to the 2023 Lunar New Year holiday, an average of 7,994 seats per day will be added, increasing the seat-kilometer capacity by 791,645.

A group of 65 Taiwanese tourists stranded in Japan due to the Ishikawa 7.6 magnitude earthquake safely returned to Taiwan on Starlux Airlines. The earthquake forced the closure of Niigata Airport, causing a two-day delay for the group. Taiwanese passengers described the trembling sensation from the Japan quake as much scarier than the earthquakes they experienced in Taiwan. Despite the lack of severe damage, the tour leader led the tourists to pray for safety at a shrine in the Niigata area during the New Year period. The travel agency greeted the returning tourists at the airport with consolation meal boxes, considering their safe return a stroke of luck amidst the unfortunate situation.

Join us on a day trip from Taipei, exploring the otherworldly Yehliu Geopark, the enchanting town of Jiufen, and the charming Shifen with its sky lanterns. Discover Taiwan’s stunning coast and the inspiration behind ＂Spirited Away.＂

Taiwan is preparing for its national elections on January 13, which has been declared a ＂holiday＂ under the Labor Standards Act. Employers are required to give workers with voting rights a day off and maintain their regular pay. If employers insist on having employees work on election day, they must provide double pay for attendance hours and cannot prevent workers from voting. The elections will determine the 16th President and Vice President of Taiwan, as well as the 11th Legislative Yuan. No additional leave is granted if the voting day falls on a worker’s regular day off. Violations of these regulations may result in fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$1 million, in addition to wage compensation. Workers whose rights are compromised can file complaints with the local labor administrative authority.

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te and running mate Hsiao Bi-khim have begun their 10-day election campaign trail, which includes 21 large-scale rallies and greeting voters at over 1,000 crossroads across all 22 municipalities in Taiwan. Lai will take three more trips around the island before the election on Jan. 12. The campaign will conclude with joint campaigning in New Taipei and Taipei City.

Taiwan’s health ministry has announced the establishment of the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment (CHPTA) with an investment of nearly NT＄200 million from the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The CHPTA aims to expedite the review process for newly insured drugs by implementing parallel reviews. Starting from New Year’s Day in 2024, the new system is expected to significantly shorten the time required for reviewing newly insured drugs from an average of 13 months to 6 months. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan emphasized that national health insurance plays a stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and disapproved of major amendments, ruling out the possibility of a ＂third generation health insurance.＂ He also expressed the belief that drug pricing policies under the health insurance system need reform, making the launch of CHPTA a significant reform effort.

週二，放完耶誕節的第一個交易日，美股「耶誕行情」發酵，三大指數全面上漲；不只華爾街，一般民眾的買氣也持續熱絡，因為耶誕節隔天，12月26日是Boxing Day，也是歲末年終最後一波掃貨，但英國消費者大失所望，因為好幾間連鎖商家當天竟然不營業；而在南半球的澳洲，民眾則是天還沒亮，就去購物中心門口排隊，搶優惠！

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun was found deceased in his car on Wednesday (Dec. 27), shocking the South Korean entertainment industry. Promotional events and meetings for the movie ＂12.12: The Day＂ starring Jung Woo-sung and Hwang Jung-min have been canceled. The public press conference for the drama ＂Marry My Husband＂ starring Park Min-young has been postponed. Lee’s projects, ＂Silence＂ and ＂The Land of Happiness,＂ may now face delays. ＂Silence＂ had been invited to the Cannes Film Festival and was scheduled for release later this year or early next year. ＂The Land of Happiness＂ has been completed, with release times under consideration. Film distributors had planned to wait for the outcome of an investigation into Lee’s drug use allegations before deciding on the release date, but after his death, the timeline has become uncertain.

「拆禮物日（Boxing Day）」又是開箱聖誕禮物時候，但千萬別有過多期望！台灣網路瘋傳多張照片，有男生獲得1份巨型禮物，包裝外形似名牌「Dyson電風扇」，令他非常興奮，沒想到拆開包裝看到實體立馬傻眼。網友看到禮物實體爆笑，「中大獎了」、「看起來禮物本身還不錯。包裝上多了一些趣味」、「超有創意」、「了解到包裝的重要性」。

Discover the times for sunrise and sunset on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Taiwan. The latest sunset on the main island will be at 5:24:49 p.m. at the ＂Chi-Ku＂ sea wall in Tainan City. On outlying islands, the latest sunset will occur at 5:29:16 p.m. on the L18 Stronghold beach on Lieyu island. As for the first glimmer of dawn’s light, it will appear at 6:32:32 a.m. on Taitung’s Orchid Island and at 6:35:02 a.m. at the Pingtung Hengchun Longkeng Ecological Reserve on the main island.

The Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail Transit has received permission to operate from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and will begin trial operations from January 1 to February 25, 2024. The C24 to C32 sections of the light rail have completed inspections and necessary adjustments, allowing for formal operations. Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Lin Chin-rong expressed gratitude towards the MOTC and the city government team for their efforts in enabling the last sections to commence operations before year-end. With the launch of the C24 to C32 segments, the circular light rail will have 38 stations and stretch for 22.1 kilometers. To encourage citizens to use this new transportation route, the Mass Rapid Transit bureau will offer ＂Free Rides on all Light Rail Segments＂ from New Year’s Day until February 25, 2024.

Taiwan’s R.O.C. Naval Fleet Command continues its search for three missing servicemen who fell overboard from the Hai Hu Submarine on December 21. Despite the 72-hour rescue window passing, the Navy has ordered an additional three-day search. The families of the missing servicemen will be transported to the accident spot on December 27. The wife of one of the missing crew members has made an emotional plea for assistance in the search. Families have suggested moving the search south based on sea current directions. President Tsai Ing-wen visited the recovered crew and comforted the families, vowing to continue the search. The search and rescue effort involves approximately 900 personnel, 80 aircraft, 76 ships, and 319 vehicles, covering an operational area from south of Kaohsiung Port to Hengchun and along the coast of Xiaoliuqiu.

WeatherRisk has reported that there will be generally cloudy weather in Taiwan due to the shift of clouds in the south. There may also be sporadic rainfall in the mountains of central and southern Taiwan. The impact of the continental cold air mass moving out to sea along the coast of China has weakened the cold air around Taiwan, causing minimal low temperatures to rise. The Liyu Lake in Hualien and Luye Township in Taitung recorded temperatures of 11 and 12.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. The continued shift of clouds in the south might slightly increase the chance of rainfall in the central and southern regions, as well as affect the eastern areas with sporadic downpours. With no significant weather systems nearby, Taiwan will experience an increase in daytime temperatures under the influence of northeast to east winds. Northern regions will see temperatures of 23-26 degrees Celsius, while the central and southern regions will hover around 24-26 degrees Celsius. On Friday, environmental moisture will gradually decrease under the influence of the northeast monsoon, resulting in mostly cloudy weather with possible sporadic rainfall across Taiwan. Saturday, the start of the New Year holiday, will see a weakening of the northeast monsoon, raising the temperature and bringing mostly cloudy weather, with sporadic rainfall possible only in the eastern parts. However, Sunday will see a stronger northeast monsoon, leading to stable but cloudy weather with sporadic showers in eastern Taiwan. On New Year’s Day next Monday, Taiwan will experience generally sunny to cloudy weather under the influence of the northeast monsoon, with no significant chance of rain. The general public is advised to consider this weather information when planning holiday activities.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai has hinted that the large inflatable artwork ＂Rubber Duck＂ by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman may be exhibited once again in Kaohsiung. The preparations are currently underway, and the exact details will be announced after completion. The Rubber Duck previously attracted over 3.9 million visitors during its 32-day exhibition at the Kaohsiung Glory Pier harbor in 2013, increasing Kaohsiung’s international visibility and sparking a nationwide ＂Rubber Duck＂ fever in Taiwan. The possible re-exhibition is the result of efforts by then-Deputy Mayor Lee Yung-te and Information Bureau Director Lai Jui-lung, among others.

The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (TBKC) has announced plans to regulate traffic around 10 major tourist spots in anticipation of the increased activities expected for the New Year’s holiday season. Measures will be implemented based on the transportation status on the day, with the aim of ensuring smooth traffic flow during the annual New Year’s Eve party in Kaohsiung and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Eda World. TBKC has released a guide on Facebook outlining phased road controls, entry routes, and parking plans, while also imposing stricter rules against illegal parking and towing in surrounding areas. To effectively disperse crowds, the Kaohsiung Metro (KRTC), circular light rail (LRT), and railway system will increase their services and operating hours. Residents are advised to check radio broadcasts and real-time online traffic updates before leaving home and are recommended to use public transportation like the metro instead of driving.

Hong Kong actress Carina Lau and actor Tony Leung delighted fans with a heartwarming Christmas photo on social media. The picture, shared on Weibo, showed Lau giving Leung a kiss on the cheek in front of a Christmas tree. Married for 15 years, the couple appeared happy and in good spirits. Lau also took the opportunity to send a heartfelt holiday greeting to her followers and tagged Leung’s fan club in the post. Fans expressed their joy and showered the couple with compliments and well wishes in the comments section, making it a charming and personal Christmas gift.

Witness the first rays of the New Year’s Day sunrise at the Sanxiantai Recreation Area in Cheng-kung Town, Taitung County. Join the sunrise walk event organized by the Chenggong Township Office or visit the Millennium Dawn Memorial Park in Taimali Township. Despite 23 years without a sunrise sighting, Taimali remains a popular destination for sunrise enthusiasts. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking natural views and welcome the new year in these beautiful locations.

Taiwanese actor JC Lin announced his engagement to his girlfriend Cindy on December 26. He shared a sweet picture on social media, captioning it with ’Christmas gift exchange -- she got a ring, I got a YES.’ The couple had been in a relationship for 10 years before JC Lin proposed on Christmas day. He posted a heartfelt message alongside the photos, expressing his happiness. JC Lin publicly released a video of his wedding proposal, where he went down on one knee and thanked Cindy for being with him through the happiness and hardships of the past decade. Cindy accepted the proposal, leading to a heartfelt kiss witnessed by friends, including Taiwanese actor Kai Ko. In 2019, JC Lin received praise for his role in the TV drama ’The World Between Us,’ where he skillfully portrayed a character suffering from schizophrenia.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has announced that it will now accept credit card payments for on-board ticket upgrades, push-cart sales, and station bento counter services. Passengers can also use their Easycard or iPASS to purchase items from the pushcart and high-speed rail bento boxes. However, THSR advises that Easycard and iPASS are only suitable for small payments, and on-board ticket upgrades should be paid for with a credit card or cash. Furthermore, THSR will be introducing a new hot beverage called ＂Taiwan Sugar Highland Small Farmer Coffee＂ on January 1, 2024. This coffee, made with beans from the Guatemala Antigua region, will be available from the first to the seventh day of each month, while illy coffee will be served on other days. THSR also cautions that unstable internet connections on board may cause credit card transactions to fail and asks for passengers’ understanding.

The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has announced that the public can check their voting rights information by using their ID card and birth date on the Department of Household Registration website from December 26 to December 28. People can also visit local township, city, or district offices to check the list of eligible voters and request a correction if there is inaccurate data. To have voting rights, individuals must be at least 20 years old and have continuously resided in the free area of the Republic of China for at least six months for presidential elections, and at least four months in the respective constituency for legislative elections. The voters’ list will be compiled using records from 20 days before election day. The Department of Household Registration will also enable online inquiries about polling station locations from January 8 to 13, 2024, to assist individuals who do not live at their registered addresses or have not received a voting notification.

During a campaign event in New Taipei City, Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong mistakenly referred to the election day on Jan. 13 as ’Jan. 15.’ He quickly corrected himself, stating that they would be a president-elect on Jan. 15 next year, which received enthusiastic applause from supporters. This is not the first verbal gaffe from Jaw, as he has made other slips of the tongue recently. He called out the rival Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te instead of his own party’s presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih during a policy presentation by the Central Election Committee (CEC). Furthermore, he referred to former KMT chairman Johnny Chiang as a ’terrorist of peace for Taiwan’ instead of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taichung. Jaw also criticized the DPP’s governance record over the last eight years, arguing that their belief in a change of personnel and party now resonated with the DPP itself.

KMT vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong pledges to expand Taiwan’s diplomatic relations if the KMT wins the upcoming elections. He criticizes the ruling DPP for losing nine diplomatic allies during their eight-year tenure. Jaw’s remarks were made during a Constitution Day event organized by the KMT’s Department of International Affairs, attended by KMT Chairman Eric Chu and KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia. Chu defends Hsia, stating that he is a valuable asset to the party and urges media outlets to avoid spreading misinformation. Hsia expresses regret that young people overlook the significance of Dec. 25 as Constitution Day in Taiwan and promises to restore the value of the Republic of China if the KMT wins the elections next year.

A teenager involved in a knife attack on a fellow student has been remanded in custody, while another teen accused of incitement has been placed under guardianship, as ruled by a youth court on Tuesday (Dec. 26). The attack occurred the day before at a junior high school in New Taipei City, leaving the victim with a severe neck wound, resulting in significant blood loss and, at one point, signs of life ceased. Investigations revealed that the accused is a third-grade junior high school student surnamed Kuo. Allegedly, he attacked to defend a female student who had been reprimanded by the victim. The girl had entered the victim’s classroom in search of a friend and was reprimanded for not being in the correct class. The victim was revived after five hours of treatment at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, officials reported. Kuo and the girl, originally under investigation for offenses related to causing injury, had their charges escalated to ＂attempted murder＂ late on Monday, given the critical danger the victim faced. The police believe that the two had the intention to kill.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a cold surge advisory for 13 municipalities on Christmas Day, with temperatures expected to significantly drop by Monday evening. The affected areas include New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Yilan County, and Kinmen County. Some regions, including Tainan, Yilan, and Kinmen, may experience temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning. However, the cold air mass is expected to weaken throughout the day, leading to a gradual warming trend with temperatures potentially reaching over 20 degrees Celsius. The CWA also predicts a strengthening of the northeast monsoon on Thursday, which will cause another dip in temperatures, particularly on the windward side of northern Taiwan. However, this effect is expected to be short-lived, with milder temperatures forecasted for Friday and Saturday. Nevertheless, there is a possibility of a new cold air mass moving south by Sunday, which could once again lower temperatures in northern Taiwan.

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, taxis from the Taipei Songshan Airport will charge a $50 stay service fee, aligning with fees at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports. This decision, made following evaluations by the taxi fare review committees of Taipei and New Taipei cities, aims to address rigorous competition and rising operational costs in the industry. Passengers traveling through the airport, also known as Taipei International Airport, should take note of the new transportation cost changes, especially during peak travel periods such as New Year’s Day, the Lunar New Year, and the 228 holidays. The airport authorities have urged scheduled taxi operators to provide quality service and inform passengers about the fee change through verbal explanations and in-vehicle signs. Additionally, the airport offers free parking for the first 30 minutes, providing some relief for those being dropped off by family members.