Times 結果共228筆

紐約時報（The New York Times）報導，以色列總理尼坦雅胡（Benjamin Netanyahu）與美國總統拜登通話後被說服，取消了針對伊朗的報復攻擊。

Terry T’ang, born in T’aipei, Taiwan, has been named the first female editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times in its 142-year history. T’ang immigrated to Los Angeles at age six, graduated from Yale University and New York University Law School, and previously worked at the ACLU and The New York Times before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2019.

即將在8日登場的日全食（solar eclipse）天文奇景，吸引全美各地大批民眾追逐觀賞，沿途各州的飯店價格也隨之水漲船高。當地媒體報導，有民眾成功訂房後卻在入住前慘遭取消，該飯店業者竟以數倍價格，重新出售房間賺取更高利潤，這個行為在社群上引發不少抱怨。據相關機構估算，這次日全食可見範圍，橫跨美國15州、墨西哥及加拿大部分地區，因此吸引數百萬人湧入此地帶觀賞，預計能為這些地區，帶來超過10億美元（約新台幣321.3億元）的觀光經濟效益。但隨著龐大人群湧入，卻造成旅館、機票價格胡亂飆漲，《紐約時報》（The New York Times）甚至發現，位於日全食路線上的伊利諾州格雷維爾市（Grayville），有一家飯店房價，竟飆漲至平日的10倍之多。

47歲「拉丁天后」、哥倫比亞歌手夏奇拉（Shakira）上周睽違7年發行新專輯《Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran》（女人不再哭泣），美東時間26日晚間她驚喜現身紐約市（New York City）時報廣場（Times Square），「免費」快閃演出，吸引約4萬人爭睹，萬人空巷場面猶如跨年活動，巨星魅力展露無疑。

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) achieved record-breaking success in 2021, transporting 73.08 million passengers and generating NT$49.8 billion in revenue. THSR aims to surpass NT$50 billion this year, attributing its growth to changes in commuting behavior post-pandemic and enhanced services like frequent ventilation for pandemic prevention. The surge in passenger willingness to use THSR has led to increased travel numbers, with a peak of 310,000 passengers in a single day during the Lunar New Year holiday. THSR serves various purposes, including commuting, business, homecoming, and tourism, with 4.02 million people utilizing the high-speed rail for tourism last year. Additional trains and service enhancements have been implemented to encourage passengers to travel during off-peak hours.

《紐約時報》（The New York Times）近日發布一系列報導，檢視81歲總統拜登（Joe Biden）的低迷支持率，並質疑他是否足以勝任第二任期；《紐時》發行人沙茲伯格（A.G. Sulzberger）受訪時透露，白宮對這些文章「極為不滿」（extremely upset），但強調該報將繼續「全面、公正地報導。」

A recent fishing boat incident involving a Chinese fishing boat illegally crossing boundaries and subsequently capsizing due to the Taiwanese coast guard’s expulsion efforts has caused tension between Taiwan and China. Two individuals tragically drowned in the incident. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has assured prompt communication of investigation results with Chinese authorities, aiming to maintain solid cross-strait ties. China has accused Taiwan of precipitating such events, blaming aggressive boat seizures and assertive treatment of mainland fishermen. The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has strongly condemned the incident, laying blame on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration. Former Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin has criticized Taiwan’s law enforcement, suggesting it may constitute involuntary manslaughter. In 2023 alone, there were 1,191 registered cases of Chinese fishing boats crossing the maritime boundary, consistently surpassing a thousand annually. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, in accordance with the ＂Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area,＂ retains the right to expel, detain, hold in custody, fine, confiscate fishing equipment, and seize hauls and boats.

美國媒體《洛杉磯時報》（Los Angeles Times）於23日宣布，將開始裁員至少高達115名員工，有消息傳出，其中還包含專門報導日籍球星大谷翔平的的記者莎拉（Sarah Valenzuela）。

The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) will add eight more trains during the Lunar New Year transport season from Feb. 6 to 15. These additional services include five southbound and three northbound trains. Tickets for these services will be available starting midnight on Saturday, Jan. 27. During the passenger peak period, THSRC will also expand unreserved seating across eight carriages on trains running between Nangang and Taichung. THSRC will provide a total of 461 additional train services over the Lunar New Year period, with 246 southbound and 215 northbound trains. Passengers are advised to plan in advance by checking the corporation’s website for transport season sales information and avoiding peak times. Real-time updates on passenger numbers at different stations will be available on the THSRC website. Stations implementing crowd control for unreserved seating will display a yellow or red light, indicating expected queue times of over 30 minutes or over 60 minutes, respectively. Passengers can also receive crowd control information and manage their travel plans via the T-EX mobile ticketing app.

Taipei (TVBS News) reports that Taiwan’s diplomatic allies are gradually decreasing, as stated by a Chinese official media outlet. Nauru recently announced its decision to sever ties with the Republic of China and Taiwan, bringing the number of diplomatic allies down to 12. This marks the tenth nation to break ties during President Tsai Ing-wen’s term. The Global Times report highlights the more restrained approach of Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim towards cross-strait policies, urging them to fully understand the reality and trend of the Taiwan Strait and completely abandon any path towards Taiwan independence. Lai, elected as a ＂double minority,＂ faces the challenge that 60 percent of the Taiwanese population does not recognize the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). In response to Taiwan’s elections, the U.S. clarified its stance by stating that they do not support Taiwan’s independence, aiming to dissuade Lai from becoming a disruptive force like former President Chen Shui-bian, which could affect the U.S.’s strategic plans.

Taipei People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je has expressed his intention to establish an internal public opinion center in order to improve the accuracy of future polls. This decision follows the TPP’s defeat in the presidential election and the subsequent launch of a post-defeat review. Ko believes that implementing out-of-district voting is a key change that needs to be made. He also highlighted the need for voting methods to adapt to the changing times, which he sees as a contributing factor to the election loss. In the meantime, concerns have been raised about legislator-at-large-elect Huang Shan-shan’s alleged dual party membership. Huang has responded by threatening legal action against those spreading false information, as the TPP prepares to establish a legal department. Additionally, TPP Taipei party headquarters chairman Lin Kuo-cheng has offered to resign due to disappointing post-election results. The TPP has clarified that staff turnovers are a result of job positions and organizational adjustments, as current legislative workloads are burdensome. The party plans to release a defeat review report to identify the main causes of the election loss.

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) has achieved a satisfaction rate of 91.2% in 2023, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). This is the first time the satisfaction rate has not decreased despite an increase in insurance costs. Previous reductions in satisfaction were observed in 2002 and 2006 due to premium increases, and in 2013 following the implementation of the second-generation NHI. The highest-rated aspects of the NHI were accessibility to medical treatment and the quality of medical care, with increased insurance costs ranking third. The satisfaction rate reached its peak during times of pandemic, likely due to the introduction of home-based medical care services and improved medical accessibility. Since 2021, the satisfaction rate has consistently remained above 90% and even reached a new all-time high during the pandemic. Taiwan has been ranked number one in the global healthcare index published by NUMBEO for the past five years. The NHI budget has also seen significant growth, increasing by over 48% from NT$590.5 billion in 2015 to NT$875.5 billion in 2024. The survey involved 3,257 participants aged 18 in Taiwan, and while public satisfaction with the NHI is high, physicians generally express lower levels of satisfaction.

Tigerair Taiwan transported six boxes of disaster relief goods, including winter blankets, to Japan following the devastating earthquake. Chairman Kevin Chen believes the airline’s extensive network and frequent flights can provide significant support to disaster areas. Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has established a dedicated disaster relief account to receive donations. The Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Teams, the first non-governmental organization from Taiwan, has entered the hard-hit Suzu City in Japan to provide medical relief. Relief efforts from Taiwanese civil groups continue, despite the Japanese government’s refusal of official aid from several countries. This demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to assisting international neighbors in times of crisis.

The Taiwan Health Promotion Administration warns the public that heated tobacco products have the same nicotine content and addictiveness as traditional tobacco, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO’s report revealed that marketing strategies used by heated tobacco businesses may mislead consumers into thinking these products are less harmful. Rats exposed to aerosols from a single heated tobacco stick had nicotine concentration in their blood 4.5 times higher than those exposed to traditional tobacco smoke. Nicotine not only leads to addiction but also causes harm to attention, learning, mood control, impulse control, pregnant women, and developing embryos. Heated tobacco emissions contain harmful and carcinogenic substances, putting the body at risk. Data does not support the idea that substituting traditional tobacco with heated tobacco reduces health risks. Tobacco companies use misleading marketing tactics to lure consumers, claiming lower health risks and reduced secondhand smoke and odor. It is important to note that no heated tobacco products are currently approved for sale in Taiwan, and their manufacturing, importation, selling, supplying, display, advertising, and usage are prohibited under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

Taiwan’s donation for disaster relief in Japan after a powerful earthquake has garnered gratitude from Japanese netizens. The government announced a donation of 60 million Japanese yen (NT＄13 million) on Jan. 4, prompting comments from Japanese internet users expressing gratitude for Taiwan’s consistent support during times of distress. The funds will aid Japan’s government in relief and reconstruction efforts, with Taiwan’s Executive Yuan setting up an account to facilitate domestic and international donations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related units in Taiwan remain in close contact with Japan, ready to provide further aid as the death toll rises and the search for missing individuals continues.

Taiwan’s historical documentary ＂Qianlong’s Tour of the West Lake＂ has been chosen for the Cinema Regained category at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), showcasing Taiwan’s traditional hand puppetry culture. Directed by Liu Yi-hung in 1994, the film was restored from 35mm original footage to 4K, paying tribute to Taiwanese puppet master Li Tien-lu and his ’I Wan Jan Puppet Theater.’ The IFFR’s recognition of Liu’s work highlights Taiwan’s cinematographic prowess. Li, born into a family of puppeteers, founded the I Wan Jan Puppet Theater in 1932, incorporating his distinctive Southern Min dialect. The IFFR previously screened the Taiwanese puppet film ＂Demigod: The Legend Begins＂ multiple times in 2023, further promoting Taiwan’s puppetry culture. The selection of ＂Qianlong’s Tour of West Lake＂ at the 2024 Rotterdam Film Festival brings Taiwan’s traditional puppetry culture closer to European movie enthusiasts. The IFFR, taking place from Jan. 25 to Feb. 4, 2024, has chosen three Taiwanese films, including ＂Who’ll Stop the Rain＂ by director Su Yi-hsuan and ＂When the Wind Rises＂ directed by Chen Hao, showcasing the breadth and quality of Taiwan’s filmmaking.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the tracking of two Chinese balloons, one of which directly crossed over Taiwan’s main island. The balloons were detected at different times, with one located approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Chiayi and the other about 71 nautical miles northwest of Keelung. Both balloons reached altitudes of around 30,000 and 32,000 feet before disappearing. In addition, the MND observed four Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait over a 24-hour period, including one military plane that breached the southwest air zone. The MND also detected a Shaanxi KJ-500 early warning aircraft entering Taiwan’s southwest Air Defense Identification Zone from the Chinese coastal area. The Taiwanese MND assured that they are closely monitoring and responding to the situation using mission aircraft, naval vessels, and shoreline missile systems.

The 2024 presidential election in Taiwan will feature a live televised debate among the candidates, including Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang, and Ko Wen-je of Taiwan’s People Party. The debate will consist of four rounds, including candidate speeches, media inquiries, inter-candidate questioning, and conclusions. Lai has criticized the KMT-TPP joint ticket and urged viewers to support him, while Hou has been preparing intensively for the debate to communicate his election concepts and political views. Ko has expressed his intention to question Lai on promoting Taiwan’s independence without U.S. government support. The debate will be co-hosted by Liberty Times Net and other media outlets and will be aired on Public Television Service, with Hu Yuan-hui serving as the host.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture (MOC) has announced that the eligibility for its ＂culture points＂ system will be expanded starting in 2024. The age range will be widened to include individuals aged 16 to 22, compared to the current range of 18 to 21. These points can be redeemed for cultural activities and goods and will be distributed from January 20, 2024. Each person will be able to claim the points seven times in their lifetime, starting at age 16, and the points will remain valid until December 31, 2024. The culture points can be utilized for various cultural activities such as watching local films, performances, buying books, visiting museums, and engaging in other forms of creative cultural consumption. The uptake rate for the culture points in 2023 was 80%, and it is expected to become a regular policy incorporated into the MOC’s annual budget from 2024 onwards. The number of recipients for culture points is projected to increase significantly from one million to 1.5 million in 2024.

Taiwan is set to increase its minimum wage for 2024, benefiting approximately 2.39 million workers. Monthly basic wages will rise from NT$26,400 to NT$27,470, a 4.05% increase, benefiting 1.79 million workers. Hourly wages will also see a boost from NT$176 to NT$183, benefiting around 600,000 workers. The changes will affect labor insurance premiums, with employers bearing an extra cost of NT$2,307, workers contributing NT$659, and the government chipping in NT$329. This marks an increase of NT$89, NT$25, and NT$13, respectively, compared to the existing system. The adjustment will also impact the categorization of labor insurance premiums and retirement monthly contributions schedules. While the wage hike will increase labor costs, it provides an important boost for workers in challenging economic times.

A male student in New Taipei City was stabbed to death by a schoolmate following a verbal altercation. The preliminary autopsy revealed that the victim had suffered 10 potentially lethal wounds, including knife wounds in his neck, left chest, and right lower back. Six slashes were in the front, including one to his carotid artery, and four were near his kidney. The attack occurred after a female student entered the victim’s classroom and was questioned by him about her presence. She brought back a male student from her grade to settle the dispute, who then stabbed the victim five times with a switchblade, causing extensive bleeding. The victim received ECMO treatment for five hours at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead 34 hours after the incident. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office is considering investigating the assailant for homicide or manslaughter based on the autopsy results and evidence from the scene.

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.

A junior high school student in Tucheng District, New Taipei City, was fatally stabbed by another student, prompting the school to relocate the classroom and provide counseling for the classmates. The classmates expressed condolences by creating cards and recording videos for the victim’s parents. The victim, who suffered severe wounds to the chest and neck, succumbed to his injuries after being stabbed five times. The attack ensued after a female student was berated and sought revenge through a peer, leading to a dispute and the stabbing incident. Despite efforts to save him, the victim did not survive. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office is examining the body to determine the cause of death and will decide on charges based on autopsy results and evidence from the scene.

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.