SOME 結果共115筆

Explore how Taiwan’s critical water shortages are impacted by seasonal changes and increased industrial demand, posing challenges for its semiconductor industry and agricultural needs.

Explore how vending machines are becoming a more common sight in Taiwan and the US, offering a variety of refreshments and conveniences from frozen treats to hot meals, with some incorporating AI for improved functionality.

Explore the latest weather update from Taipei as the Central Weather Administration reports a weak front over the northern sea, bringing brief showers to some areas and warm, muggy conditions across Taiwan. With a mix of sun and clouds, the public is advised to prepare for strong UV rays, potential travel impacts due to fog, and to stay cautious in mountainous regions due to aftershocks and rain-induced hazards. Air quality concerns also persist in the country’s western half.

Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s upcoming second visit to China ignites debate among scholars on its implications for cross-strait relations. Some view it as a potential easing of tensions, while others interpret it as part of China’s united front strategy. Ma’s visit, scheduled from April 1 to 11, aims to engage with Chinese culture and students. The trip, in response to a mainland China invitation, is seen as an opportunity to bridge political divides and showcase diverse Taiwanese perspectives on cross-strait relations. However, critics like Taiwan Thinktank researcher Wu Se-chih perceive the visit as aligning with the Chinese Communist Party’s agenda to promote Chinese culture and influence Taiwanese society before the new president’s inauguration.

Amid inflationary pressures, Taiwan plans to raise electricity prices, impacting daily life and industry, especially high-energy-consuming businesses like hot pot restaurants. The increase, projected to be across-the-board, could lead to higher operating costs and consumer prices. Taiwan Power Company faces substantial losses, with a potential 20% price surge predicted to affect economic growth and consumer prices. Some workers see the adjustment as a step towards sustainable energy development, encouraging energy-saving and emission-reduction industries.

Stay informed about the impact of a continental cold wave hitting Taiwan, as reported by the Central Weather Administration. Expect temperatures to drop significantly, with some areas potentially reaching below 10 degrees Celsius. Weather expert Lin Te-en warns of a possible transformation of the cold air mass into a cold stream, affecting various regions. Keep an eye on the north, northeast, and east for temperatures not exceeding 18 degrees Celsius, while the south and central regions may experience slightly warmer weather. Prepare for the strongest impact tonight until Saturday morning, with temperatures possibly plummeting further. Stay updated as temperatures are forecasted to rise temporarily on Sunday before declining again on Monday.

Desperate fans in Taipei seek name changes to attend IU’s sold-out concert. Ticket holders face strict real-name system, prompting some to consider legal name changes just for entry. Fans resort to extreme measures to secure coveted tickets for the South Korean singer’s upcoming shows.

South Korean girl band aespa’s leader, Karina, faces backlash over her public apology for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. Fans’ reactions vary from support to protests, with some calling for Karina to end the relationship to protect her career. Despite the controversy, many fans continue to stand by Karina.

Stay informed about the fluctuating weather in Taiwan this week. A heatwave is expected on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius before plummeting to as low as 10 degrees in some areas by the weekend. Meteorologist Wu Der-rong warns of a cold air mass from China bringing rain and significantly colder temperatures. Keep an eye on the Central Weather Administration’s forecasts for the latest updates.

HeySong Corporation, a Taiwanese company, has announced price adjustments for some of its products after 10-20 years of unchanged prices. The adjustments, set to take effect in March, will see prices increase by 10-20%. The most notable increase will be for the popular 330-milliliter HeySong Sarsaparilla, which will surge by up to 25%. The company attributes the price adjustments to rising costs of raw materials, packaging, transportation, and personnel. The recommended retail price adjustments will mainly affect packages less than one liter, with some increasing by NT$4 and others by NT$5-6. Other beverage brands, such as Taisun Enterprise, have also indicated rising drink prices due to increased international raw material costs. The King Car Group had already adjusted the price of its Pocari Sweat drink in November 2020, marking the first price adjustment in 17 years. Public opinion on the price changes seems to be accepting, with many stating that they understand most products are experiencing price increases as long as the surge isn’t too high.

Learn about the decline in Taiwan’s Chinese medicinal herb stores as generational shifts impact the industry. Explore how some shops are innovating amidst challenges in licensing and education.

The Ministry of Labor’s Workforce Development Agency Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli Regional Branch organized five job fairs in Taiwan in February, with a total of 150 companies offering 6,000 high-quality vacancies. The job fairs, held in Taoyuan, Zhongli, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, attracted a significant number of companies and job seekers. Notably, the Zhubei Civil Sports Center hosted a job fair on February 22, featuring 52 companies offering 2,400 job vacancies, including positions such as electronic engineer, product engineer, safety engineer, and Japanese translator. Some of these roles boasted top salaries of up to NT$70,000. Another job fair with a manufacturing theme took place in Miaoli on the same day, where the highest salary on offer was NT$60,000. Three job fairs were held in Taoyuan, with the highest salary reaching an impressive NT$100,000. The Director General of the agency, Lai Chia-Jen, highlighted the branch’s commitment to addressing job shortages and promoting employment in the post-epidemic period. To encourage employment, the branch also extended employment incentives for project labor shortages.

Prepare for cooler, rainy weather in northern Taiwan before Lunar New Year’s Eve, followed by clear skies from New Year’s Day through the fifth day of the new year. Temperatures will steadily drop, possibly dipping below 10 Celsius degrees as New Year’s Eve approaches, due to a cold air mass from the continent. Conditions will gradually improve to partly sunny with a chance of local brief rain in the eastern half of the island. Temperatures range from 12 to 19 degrees in the north, 13 to 25 in the central region, 16 to 29 in the south, and 15 to 26 in the east. On New Year’s Day, weather will turn clear and dry, but the morning of the next day will see temperatures fall to their lowest, with some flat areas experiencing temperatures below 10 degrees.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Chairman Young Liu has stated that the AI server industry is facing a shortage of AI chips, which is expected to persist throughout 2024. Liu emphasized that the problem can only be resolved by increasing production capacity in new factories. He also highlighted that geopolitical and economic conditions may affect the demand for consumer electronic products this year. Despite holding a significant position in the global AI server industry, Hon Hai is facing a shortfall in the supply of AI chips from major manufacturers like NVIDIA. While some second and third-tier factories claim their AI server performance will be good in 2024, Liu expressed skepticism and confusion about this situation.

National Taiwan University (NTU) has announced the graduate thesis quality and review standards for over 40 departments or degree programs, with the exception of the department involved in past plagiarism disputes. The Graduate Institute of National Development, which was implicated in the rescission of degrees awarded to former Hsinchu City mayor Lin Chih-chien and Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, has not yet released its thesis verification policy. In response, NTU’s Office of Academic Affairs expressed regret over the disputes and implemented measures to enhance the quality of graduate theses. Some departments are still discussing the new directions. Under the new policy, each department is required to establish their own evaluation mechanisms, which may include limitations on the number of graduate students per professor, originality standards for theses, and a threshold for acceptable content similarity.

During the Lunar New Year peak travel period, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) reports that 73.7% of available reserved seats have been booked. To accommodate the surge in travelers, THSRC has added 461 train services, resulting in a 29.0% increase in transport capacity compared to regular days. Peak travel is expected between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14, and THSRC will adjust the number of unreserved cabins on some trains to serve more passengers. The company’s official website will provide information on popular schedules and available seats, as well as updates on crowd conditions at each station. THSRC advises passengers to book round-trip tickets in advance, with various ticket purchasing options available.

The Ministry of Culture in Taiwan has identified violations related to the use of Culture Points, distributed to individuals aged 16-22, for promoting youth engagement in the performing arts, exhibitions, and book consumption. Businesses, including beauty and nail salons, have been caught illegally accepting these points. The Ministry has warned these venues and legal action has not been ruled out, as fraudulently claiming benefits is considered a crime under Article 339 of the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Additionally, some young people have been selling their Culture Points on social platforms and auction sites, potentially exposing their personal data. To address this issue, the Ministry has performed a database comparison and locked emails of accounts with large amounts of Culture Points, urging citizens to reconfirm their identities to reclaim usage rights.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture has launched the ＂Culture Points＂ program, which allows Taiwanese youth aged 16 to 22 to receive at least 1,200 points, with each point equivalent to one New Taiwan dollar. These points can be used for various cultural and artistic experiences and consumption, such as museum tickets, community cultural center activities, music exhibitions, and art performances. However, there have been controversies as some vendors have violated the regulations by presenting beauty and nail care products as artistic and cultural items. Investigations have been launched, and the disqualified vendors have had their funds withdrawn. It is important to note that the Culture Points cannot be resold, bought, or cashed, and violators will be legally prosecuted. The points are valid until December 31, 2024, and recipients are required to scan the QR code at relevant venues or present the QR code for scanning. Receipts or invoices equivalent to the original value must be issued by stores during purchases made with Culture Points, and violating shops may be reported to the National Taxation Bureau.

The Taipei Game Show, featuring over 300 games, opened to a crowd of nearly a thousand enthusiastic gamers who braved the cold temperatures and long waits. Despite some complaints about ticket scalpers and system malfunctions, the event was a major success, drawing in over 350,000 visitors over its four-day run. Nintendo’s return to the exhibition was a major highlight, with meet-and-greet sessions featuring beloved characters like Mario and Pikachu, and over a hundred machines available for trial of more than 25 games. With exhibitors given ample time to design their booths, the 2024 edition of the show was the largest in recent years.

Residents in Taiwan are facing difficulties in getting food delivery services due to persistently low temperatures. The Central Weather Administration issued a cold weather warning, with the lowest temperature dropping to eight degrees Celsius across the country. As a result, many people have chosen to stay indoors, leading to a surge in online complaints about limited delivery options and self-pickup only. Some speculate that couriers are avoiding orders due to the cold weather and low delivery fees, which are as low as NT＄30-40 per delivery. This has prompted discussions about the need for higher wages and better working conditions for couriers.

Taiwan is preparing for a cold wave that will bring temperatures as low as 7 degrees Celsius along the coast, according to meteorological expert Daniel Wu. The temperatures in different regions of Taiwan on Monday will vary, with northern areas dropping from 14 to 7 degrees, central areas ranging from 9 to 21 degrees, southern regions from 10 to 24 degrees, and eastern zones from 9 to 21 degrees. Snow is expected to fall in high-altitude areas such as Lala Mountain, Mount Hehuan, Qixing Mountain, and Datun Mountain. The cold front will engulf the entire island from Tuesday to Thursday morning, causing temperatures to plummet even further, potentially dipping below 5 degrees in some plains regions. Local rain is expected in areas north of the central region and the eastern half on Tuesday, with showers in the eastern section on Wednesday. Residents are advised to dress warmly. The cold wave is predicted to gradually weaken from Thursday to the following Sunday, with temperatures rising across the island. Greater Taipei will remain mostly cloudy, while areas south of Taoyuan will experience clear and stable weather, with brief local showers possible in the eastern half.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been closely cooperating with Tuvalu in various fields and will continue to strengthen such cooperation for mutual prosperity. MOFA’s remarks came after rumors that Tuvalu might establish diplomatic ties with China after its general election on Friday. Bikenibeu Paeniu, Tuvalu’s ambassador to Taiwan, suggested that Tuvalu might seek diplomatic recognition from Beijing after its Jan. 26 general election. Taiwan’s foreign ministry noted that numerous high-ranking officials from Tuvalu had congratulated Taiwan’s elected president and vice president after its democratic election and reiterated their commitment to preserving the friendship between the two countries. Some experts believe that Paeniu’s comments require further verification and cannot rule out the possibility that Tuvalu is using this as leverage to solicit support from Australia.

The Taiwanese government, led by Premier Chen Chien-jen, has emphasized its commitment to handling issues with the social media platform TikTok with precision. The government aims to address potential misinformation on social platforms to enhance public literacy and has warned of legal sanctions for spreading false information. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau recently established a Cognitive Warfare Research Center, which has raised concerns about potential infringements on freedom of speech. Chen highlighted the use of TikTok in advancing cognitive warfare efforts in some countries and the need for stricter government scrutiny. Taiwan has already banned the use of TikTok in government sectors since 2020. Chen argued that autocratic nations often exploit democratic societies’ free speech to influence elections through social media. He reiterated Taiwan’s status as a free and democratic country ruled by law, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to protect freedom of speech. Chen also highlighted the threats posed by spreading false or misinformation to reputation, health, privacy, societal stability, and national security. He called on democracies worldwide to approach this issue with caution.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has detected 11 aircraft crossing the median line of the strait within a 24-hour period. The Republic of China Armed Forces are closely monitoring these aircraft, along with 24 other aircraft and five vessels engaged in activities around the Taiwan Strait. Some of the aircraft have exceeded the median line and entered Taiwan’s airspace. The closest distances to Taiwan were approximately 42 nautical miles from Keelung in the north and 85 nautical miles from Cape Eluanbi in the south. The MND highlights the changing security environment and threat model faced by Taiwan, asserting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using cognitive warfare and military actions to impact Taiwan. The MND emphasizes the need to constantly adjust the mode of disclosure to avoid being influenced by the enemy. The Republic of China Armed Forces are employing aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and prepare for response scenarios.

Foxsemicon Integrated Technology Inc., a semiconductor entity of Hon Hai Technology Group, experienced a 2.3% decrease in stock price on January 17th after announcing a cyberattack that posed a threat to job security. The company’s website had been hacked, with a message posted on the homepage warning of job loss if management did not contact the hackers. The hackers claimed to possess 5TB of sensitive internal data, including customer information, which they had encrypted within the company’s system. Foxsemicon confirmed the intrusion and activated its defense mechanism while implementing recovery operations. Despite these efforts, some pages on the official website remained inoperable. The stock price initially dropped from NT＄210 to NT＄205 but rebounded to NT＄207 by 9:28 a.m.