SEVEN 結果共145筆

The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) has launched international carbon credits trading, marking the start of a zero-carbon era. The Ministry of Environment (MOEV) is committed to achieving the net-zero goal and plans to implement carbon fees on businesses by 2024. Around 1,700 publicly traded companies in Taiwan will undergo carbon inspections within seven years, with those emitting 25,000 metric tons annually being the first to be taxed. However, the voluntary review report by the Climate Change Administration (CCA) revealed that three major greenhouse gas emission reduction goals were not met between 2020 and 2022, largely due to labor constraints. To accelerate progress, the CCA has doubled the number of inspection agencies from seven to 14 in the past two years.

The Central Weather Administration issued cold advisories across Taiwan as colder weather hits the country. In just two days, 69 individuals were taken to the hospital showing signs of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with most lacking pulse and respiration on arrival. Statistics from the Taipei City Fire Department and the New Taipei City Fire Department show a combined total of 26 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In Yilan county, four out of six people rushed to the hospital due to the cold were declared deceased. Emergency cases surged in Changhua County, with seven unsuccessful resuscitations. Only 10 people who collapsed due to the cold have been resuscitated. Citizens are advised to take necessary precautions against the chilly weather.

A Vietnamese woman in Taichung, Taiwan, was discovered by the National Immigration Agency to have operated an illegal aesthetic studio for six years, earning NT＄1 million. The woman, known as Ms. Pei, learned the craft from a compatriot after departing from her employer seven years ago. She performed unlicensed procedures such as double eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty. Ms. Pei imported unverified cosmetic injections from Vietnam and advertised her services on social media platforms, attracting Vietnamese and Indonesian customers seeking affordable beauty treatments. She was sentenced to one year and two months in prison by the Taichung District Court, but has the right to appeal the verdict.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that three drug-sniffing dogs have completed their service, one continuing under the Customs Administration’s evaluation and the other two retiring in October. The MND deployed 18 additional detection dogs across various regions in December 2022. Major General Chen Heng-wei stated that the detection squads conducted 467 assigned smell duties through educational recalls and base applications. Throughout the year, operational areas designated 211 smell duties, with 145 requests from military bases. The government mandates a service limit of four years for these canines, but dogs in good condition may serve up to seven years. The establishment of drug-sniffing dog units began in 2020 as part of efforts to deter military personnel from bringing drugs into the barracks, showcasing the ministry’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for drugs within military facilities.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taipei showcased its drug prevention program’s accomplishments, emphasizing the effectiveness of its narcotics detection dog teams. Since December last year, 18 additional dogs have been added to these teams, allowing regions across Taiwan to request their services for drug-sniffing operations within military camps. According to government regulations, these service dogs typically serve for four years, with the possibility of an extension to seven years. Since 2020, three narcotics-detection canines have completed their service term, with replacements already trained and deployed. The defense ministry conducted 467 drug-sniffing missions within military bases this year through mobilization, camp applications, and operational zone assignments. Additionally, over 1.13 million urine screenings have been conducted among military personnel, with positive results leading to prosecutions and the removal of implicated individuals from service.

The Legislative Yuan has passed amendments to the Controlling Guns, Ammunition and Knives Act, imposing stricter penalties for firearms offenses in public spaces. Offenders firing standard-issue firearms in or towards public areas could face a minimum of seven years in prison and fines of up to NT＄15 million. Discharging non-standard firearms in public venues may result in sentences ranging from five to twelve years and fines of up to NT＄10 million. The amendments also address loopholes by adjusting the terms for those confessing or turning themselves in, allowing judges to decide on leniency based on each case’s specifics. These revisions aim to combat gun-related crimes and strengthen social safety and order.

The campaign office of Lai Ching-te, Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, has released a new video titled ＂Taiwan in the world,＂ highlighting Taiwan’s reduced dependence on China and its increasing global recognition. Pan Men-an, head of the DPP’s campaign headquarters, expressed concern over opposition parties’ attempts to marginalize Taiwan and emphasized the significance of the 2024 election in determining Taiwan’s alignment with either the world or China. The video emphasizes Taiwan’s democratic development through international engagement and value-based diplomacy, while also strengthening ties with other nations. Lai’s campaign office spokesperson, Tai Wei-shan, pointed out that Taiwan’s trade dependence on China decreased from 40 percent during former President Ma Ying-jeou’s presidency to 34 percent. Additionally, a report by The Economist in August stated that under President Tsai Ing-wen’s seven-year rule, Taiwan has become the 21st largest economy globally, surpassing South Korea in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Lai’s campaign office underscores the importance of the 2024 election in shaping Taiwan’s future trajectory and urges the public to make the right choice.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Ministry of National Defense’s semi-annual promotion ceremony for military officers, where she commended their contributions to national security and defense reforms. She highlighted the achievements of the indigenous warship-building program, including the launch of the ＂Hai Kun＂ (Narwhal) sub and the keel-laying ceremony for a prototype air-defense patrol ship. The ceremony saw the promotion of 26 officers, with seven elevated to lieutenant general and 19 to major general. President Tsai expressed gratitude to the promoted officers and their families for their commitment to the nation’s safety and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in troop training and talent development.

The Legislative Yuan has passed the Minimum Wage Bill in Taiwan, which requires employers to meet minimum wage standards when settling wages with employees. Noncompliance with this law could result in fines of up to NT＄1.5 million and public disclosure of the offender’s name. The new legislation mandates the inclusion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as one of the key references when determining minimum wage, linking wage adjustments more closely with the cost of living. Previously, adjustments to the basic wage were governed by lesser regulations - the Deliberation Regulations for Basic Wage, which are merely administrative orders and do not guarantee annual wage increases. Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun welcomed the passage of this legislation, expressing gratitude to labor and employer groups, scholar experts, and legislators from all parties for their support. President Tsai Ing-wen had initially proposed the elevation of the Minimum Wage from an administrative order to the force of law in her 2016 policy plan, but it took seven years for the draft to make its way through the legislative process.

Yunlin County plans to increase childbirth subsidies in four townships starting January 1, 2024, as part of efforts to boost birth rates. Dongshi Township, Citong Township, Dounan Town, and Erlun Township will offer subsidies of NT＄20,000, NT＄12,000, NT＄10,000, and NT＄6,000 respectively. The county government is also working on further augmenting childbirth allowances. Currently, seven townships in Yunlin County provide additional childbirth or nutritional subsidies, as the county has seen a decline in newborns from 3,340 in 2022 to 2,939 by November 2023. With 11 townships reporting fewer than 100 newborns, the declining birth rates are a wider issue affecting the entire region. Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan recognizes Taiwan’s demographic crisis and emphasizes the county’s proactive approach in addressing the challenge, with more details on enhanced benefits for expecting families to be announced soon.

Taiwan’s manufacturing sector shows signs of recovery with increased overtime hours in October, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). Manufacturers’ overtime climbed to 15.4 hours, a 1.6-hour increase from the previous year, marking continuous growth over four months and a return to 2021 levels. The average regular wage from January to October 2022 was NT$45,441, a 2.49% year-over-year increase. The total average salary within the same period was NT$59,270, up by 1.53%. However, when adjusted for inflation, the real average regular earnings only inched up 0.06%, and the real total earnings witnessed a slip of 0.87% year-over-year, the first negative growth in nearly seven years. This decline in total real wages is attributed to tepid exports and the rising cost of living. Employment in the industrial and service sectors stood at 8.19 million people as of October, with a slight increase compared to September 2021 and largely unchanged from October 2021. The service sector gained 41,000 employees in October, offsetting the decrease in the industrial sector. Throughout the first ten months of 2022, the average number of employed workers was 8.175 million, with the accommodation and food services and arts, entertainment, and recreational services sectors seeing new hires while the manufacturing sector lost jobs. In October 2022 alone, the average regular salary for employed workers was NT$45,564, a 2.31% annual rise, and the average total wage for the month was NT$51,143, a 1.35% increase from the previous year.

Taiwan’s average regular earnings for employed workers increased by 2.49% from January to October, reaching NT$45,441. However, this growth is the lowest in the past three years, with total earnings, including bonuses and other irregular income, only up by 1.53%. The average monthly real wage slightly increased by 0.06% to NT$41,370, while the average total real wage decreased by 0.87% to NT$53,960, the first decline in seven years. This decline is attributed to a decrease in year-end bonuses following a cooling economy and a decrease in exports. Despite an overall increase in employment of 10,000 workers compared to last year, the manufacturing industry saw a significant drop of 27,000 employees due to economic adjustments. In October, the average regular wage was NT$45,564, up 0.13% from the previous month and 2.31% year-on-year. Part-time workers’ average hourly regular earnings increased marginally to NT$200, reflecting a 1.01% year-on-year gain. While industries such as arts, entertainment, and leisure services, as well as real estate, experienced wage increases, sectors like computer, electronic, and optical product manufacturing saw significant decreases in total wages by 18.54%. The employment numbers in manufacturing have been impacted by export decline, with an increase of 10,000 employed workers from January to October. The industrial sector saw a decrease of 0.63%, while the service sector grew by 0.67%. Accommodation and food services experienced a growth of 13,000 jobs, arts, entertainment, and leisure services saw an upsurge of 7,000, but manufacturing was hit with a reduction of 27,000 employees.

Taiwanese actress Apple Huang announces her marriage and pregnancy news, sharing seven wedding photos on Facebook. She expresses joy and gratitude for the love she and her dentist boyfriend, Carter Jaw, share as they enter the next stage of their lives. The photos feature Apple and her husband holding an ultrasound image, symbolizing the newest addition to their family. Fans shower Apple with congratulations and well-wishes on social media.

Discover the story of 18-year-old rookie singer Bettii, who captivated audiences with her heartfelt rendition of ＂Seven＂ at a press conference. Inspired by her idol Jungkook from BTS, Bettii aims to evoke the same emotions in her music. After covering Jungkook’s song, she gained recognition from the K-pop star himself. Putting her education in Canada on hold, Bettii’s parents are supportive of her decision to pursue a singing career in Taiwan. The press conference showcased her multi-instrumental talents as she played the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and piano. While her company doesn’t impose a dating ban, finding time to socialize remains a challenge. Standing at 168 centimeters tall, Bettii hopes to find a taller and conceptually compatible partner. She also admires the members of the K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT).

18歲歌手杯緹（Bettii）曾翻唱韓國天團防彈少年團（BTS)的〈Seven〉一曲，意外被成員田柾國（Jung Kook，正名：田楨國）公開翻拍讚許，讓她就此聲明大噪。她今（7）日舉辦媒體搶先聽歌會，更還原當下情況，直呼當時真的嚇到了。

The Group of Seven (G7) leaders convened via video conference to discuss the Taiwan Strait, affirming its importance for international security and prosperity. They reiterated their commitment to the One China policy and called for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues. The G7 also expressed readiness to establish a stable relationship with China and voiced opposition to China’s militarization activities in the South China Sea. Human rights concerns in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong were also discussed. The G7 condemned North Korea’s missile testing activities and addressed various other topics such as nuclear safety in Japan, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and climate change. The discussions highlighted the G7’s attention to urgent global crises, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Gaza crisis.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, has announced that Taiwan will closely monitor the development of new nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors and fusion power, and remain open to their adoption. Premier Chen Chien-jen has highlighted that addressing the challenges surrounding nuclear waste from fusion technology could significantly increase societal support for the technology. This declaration comes as over 20 countries, including the United States and Japan, proposed at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) to triple global nuclear power capacity by 2050. Additionally, nearly 120 countries committed to tripling renewable energy generation internationally within the next seven years. At COP28, 22 countries advocated for nuclear energy, focusing on small modular reactors and nuclear fusion technology, as well as securing international financial support for their development. These discussions at COP28 reflect a growing interest in diverse and innovative approaches to addressing climate change and powering the future.

DPP vice-presidential candidate Lai Ching-te attended a marine conservation event in Hengchun Township, where he witnessed healed sea turtles being returned to the ocean. The event, hosted by the Marine Animals Rescue Network (MARN), showcased efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine protected species. MARN has successfully released 393 recovered marine animals back into the wild since its inception four years ago. The Ocean Affairs Council Director-General emphasized the integration of resources to establish MARN, which now operates six stations across Taiwan. This year alone, 23 whales, dolphins, and 163 sea turtles have been released, with seven turtles equipped with satellite transmitters. The rescue efforts have revealed instances of marine debris inside the stomachs of turtles, highlighting the issue of ocean pollution. Lai Ching-te presented letters of appreciation to honor the dedication of the rescue teams. Currently, 11 stranded and injured sea turtles are under care at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Lai emphasized the importance of a national marine policy and urged the public to actively engage in marine conservation.

The 2023 Taoyuan FuturePeak Expo successfully brought together 100 youth startup teams from seven cities and counties in the region, showcasing their innovative prowess. The exhibition featured programs, ＂Startup Lectures,＂ and an ＂International Forum＂ aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang emphasized the importance of cross-municipality collaboration and international connections to propel Taiwanese youth startups onto the global stage. The city government is providing support for these emerging teams, including an interest subsidy on loans and cross-regional and international exchange activities. The expo was a joint initiative among the Hutoushan Innovation Hub, Taoyuan Aerotropolis Company, the Asia Silicon Valley Development Agency (ASVDA), National Central University, and Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation. Notable industry veterans shared insights on entrepreneurial perspectives and industry trends during the event’s ＂Startup Lectures＂ and ＂International Forum＂ segments. This expo marks a milestone for local youth startups, providing them with exposure, insights, and opportunities to shape Taiwan’s innovative future.

Taiwan’s first highway autonomous bus conducted its inaugural licensing and passenger-carrying tests. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Highway Bureau commissioned Green Transit Co., Ltd to deploy the self-driving bus, which traveled 16 kilometers autonomously at a set speed of 40 kilometers per hour. The bus, accompanied by an engineering driver during the trial phase, cost NT＄30 million to develop. The full route spans 44 kilometers, with over 70% being autonomous. The service is expected to provide free rides to the public starting in March next year, with seven stops and 7 to 8 daily services. The initiative aims to address the shortage of public transportation personnel and reduce traffic incidents. The Highway Bureau plans to enhance highway maintenance and public transport operations using smart technology.

A man from Kaohsiung is facing fines for carrying his husky in a capsule backpack, which violates the Animal Protection Act. The incident, shared on Dcard, sparked online discussions and drew the attention of the local animal protection office. The office quickly identified the pet owner and found the husky to be in good health. The owner could be fined between NT＄15,000 to NT＄75,000. The protection office emphasized the need for considerate behavior when taking pets to public places, including providing adequately ventilated carriers with enough room for pets to move freely and ensuring that animals are accompanied by a person over the age of seven.

18歲新生代創作歌手Bettii（杯緹）有著甜美清亮歌聲，先前因翻唱男團BTS成員田柾國的《Seven》，引起柾國本尊在直播中關注，紅到海外，如今推出她推出單曲，在專訪中透露創作來由，對於翻唱暴紅直呼整晚睡不著。

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced the launch of a telemedicine project next week to meet the growing demand for virtual diagnosis and long-distance clinical services. The telehealth initiative, set to debut in April next year, will not only cover acute and long-term care but also extend to chronic treatments, serious accidents, infectious cases, and care for people with disabilities. The National Health Insurance Administration estimates that over seven million people will benefit from these telehealth reforms. However, concerns have been raised by Legislator Lai Hui-yuan regarding the overdue project and the NHIA’s plans to boost digital health in Taiwan. The NHIA Department of Medical Affairs Director, Liu Lin-yi, responded by stating that telemedicine services became accessible to general patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 460 thousand patients receiving diagnoses through video calls. To ensure a smooth digital transition, MOHW Health Division Chief Liu Yueh-Ping emphasized the need for standards and the completion of necessary setups within six months.

Taipei’s Economics Minister, Wang Mei-hua, announced that power shortages have significantly decreased in recent years, with no shortages reported in 2023. Wang dismissed former President Ma Ying-jeou’s claims of power shortages under the Democratic Progressive Party’s governance as inconsistent with the facts. Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office, improvements have been made to the power scheduling mechanism, enhancing power supply stability. In response to power cuts in May 2021, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) plans to invest over NT$500 billion in improvements over the next decade. The MOEA aims to add 9.1 million kilowatts to the power supply by 2030, excluding renewable energy, to meet the projected increase in power demand of 7 million kilowatts over the next seven years.