WHO 結果共2,575筆

新冠變異株「JN.1」近日在各國加速擴散，我國衛福部19日公布台灣感染JN.1的本土病例占比為3%，但JN.1在歐美各國已經明顯增加，《華爾街日報》報導指出，美國在聖誕節長假前，JN.1變種病毒的感染人數、住院人數不斷增加，世界衛生組織（WHO）已經將JN.1歸類為「需留意變異株（variant of interest）」，但表示目前JN.1對公共衛生可能構成的風險較低。

Controversy has erupted in China and Taiwan over a Shaanxi province man’s decision to put a ＂cone of shame＂ typically used on pets on his 5-year-old granddaughter as a deterrent from using a cellphone. The incident, reported by the South China Morning Post, drew criticism online, with many considering it child abuse and a violation of the child’s dignity. The girl’s mother claimed the collar was effective in curbing her daughter’s phone usage, but the video of the girl wearing it went viral on Weibo, eliciting outrage from users who found it abusive and disrespectful. The incident has sparked a wider debate on parenting techniques and the challenge of balancing technology use among children.

TSMC chairman Mark Liu’s upcoming retirement in 2024 has led investment experts to suggest that the semiconductor giant should slow down the progress of its new manufacturing facility in the United States. Industry analyst Jonah Cheng believes that TSMC’s policy direction will remain unchanged under the leadership of chief executive C.C. Wei, who is expected to succeed Liu as chairman. Cheng also proposes maintaining a dual leadership structure to cultivate successors from various backgrounds. Speculation suggests that Liu’s retirement may be linked to potential investment challenges in the company’s U.S. expansion. In response to these challenges, Cheng recommends a deceleration in the construction of TSMC’s second U.S. plant. He also highlights the need to assess the current downturn in the car market and economic outlook before proceeding with the German plant focused on automotive applications. Cheng suggests that the Japanese facility could be an optimal choice due to labor and power shortages in Taiwan, as well as cultural similarities and strong government support from Japan. TSMC’s primary obstacle, according to Cheng, is maintaining its leadership position in the semiconductor industry, especially after surpassing Intel. Additionally, the cyclical nature of the industry and the potential opportunities presented by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications pose further challenges for the company.

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced that over 97% of Hong Kong residents applying for residence permits in Taiwan have been approved, with nearly 75% of them obtaining permanent residency permits. From 2018 to October 2023, around 46,564 Hong Kong residents and 6,196 Macau residents have acquired residence permits in Taiwan. MAC official Lu Chang-shui stated that the government welcomes and values those who aspire to settle in Taiwan, emphasizing that the rigorous review of applications aims to protect Taiwan’s systems and environment rooted in freedom, democracy, and openness. Lu also mentioned that the government provides assistance and guidance to applicants whose settlement applications are still under observation.

Malaysian singer Hsu Chia-ling, 26, was tragically killed on December 18, in an incident involving an obsessed fan. The fan, a 44-year-old man who had been pursuing Hsu for two years, had arranged a lunch date with her at a restaurant. After the meal, an altercation occurred in the alley behind the restaurant, resulting in Hsu being fatally wounded with eight knife stabs, including one that pierced her heart. Hsu, who had agreed to marry her boyfriend Liu Yu-yang, had confirmed the lunch meeting with the fan. Despite her aversion to the meeting, she intended to keep it brief before a scheduled eyebrow grooming appointment. Following the attack, the assailant carried Hsu’s body to his car and drove home. The police found Hsu’s lifeless body in the front passenger seat of the suspect’s car and arrested him at his residence. Hsu’s family, devastated by the loss, is seeking full legal prosecution of the murderer. Liu, heartbroken by the incident, has been mourning deeply since learning of Hsu’s death.

Taipei-based subsidiary Family International Gourmet, a part of Taiwan FamilyMart Co., Ltd, has announced plans to increase salaries by 3-5% in 2024. The company will also offer incentive and performance bonuses equivalent to three to eight months of annual pay. Outstanding employees in 2023 could potentially earn annual salaries equivalent to over 20 months, with some store managers already earning millions of dollars per year. The company plans to expand by opening 8-12 new stores annually. In 2024, they aim to hire over 500 regular employees, including 50 potential store managers and over 200 potential supervisors. Starting salaries for new employees will increase from NT$34,000 to NT$36,000, with reserve cadres earning NT$40,000. Employees who pass training assessments can quickly advance to store manager roles, with the opportunity to earn annual salaries exceeding NT$1 million. The company reported impressive revenues of NT$19.92 billion in November, a nearly 30% increase year-on-year. Family International Gourmet is set to debut on the emerging stock market this Thursday as it progresses towards listing on the over-the-counter market.

泡給嬰兒喝的配方奶，有一定的SOP，而且熱水應該遠離嬰幼兒，比例和溫度的拿捏也很重要，托育人員對於整個流程應該要很熟悉小心，而且泡奶的水溫，差不多落在70度左右，會發生這樣的疏失，讓家長實在難以接受。

新冠肺炎2019年爆發後對全球人類的生活習慣造成重大影響，後續仍不斷出現全新的變異株，包含近期全球多國出現的「JN.1」，世界衛生組織（WHO）19日也宣布將JN.1變異株列為「需留意變異株」（Variant of Interest），並表示目前的證據表明該變異株對公共健康造成的風險較低。

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced that its current CEO, C.C. Wei, is set to be nominated as the next chairman in the June 2024 board election. This comes after the current chairman, Mark Liu, revealed that he will not seek re-nomination and plans to retire after next year’s shareholder meeting. Liu, who joined TSMC in 1993, became chairman in June 2018 following the retirement of company founder Morris Chang. He expressed his desire to continue making a difference in the semiconductor industry using his decades of experience while also spending more time with his family. Despite varied opinions on Liu’s retirement, there is a consensus that TSMC’s stable corporate governance is unlikely to be affected in terms of operations and stock performance.

Mark Liu, Chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), will step down after the next shareholders’ meeting. C.C. Wei, currently the vice chairman, has been recommended to succeed Liu as the new chairman. Liu, who took over in 2018, focused on solidifying corporate governance and competitiveness during his tenure. He plans to continue contributing his semiconductor expertise in different capacities after retirement. Liu expresses gratitude for his collaboration with TSMC and intends to spend more time with his family. He remains confident in TSMC’s future performance and is committed to bolstering corporate governance until his term’s end.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Justin Wu, the 2023 World Baker of the Year, to recognize his contribution in promoting Taiwan’s baking industry globally. The government is actively supporting the industry’s growth and international engagement. Wu, who won the group competition at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie last year, was honored with the World Baker of the Year title by the Unibread Bread Baking Championships this year. He has showcased his creativity by creating an art bread piece inspired by the Seediq tribe and coaching the Taiwanese team to victory at the UIBC Junior World Championship. President Tsai highlighted the value of Taiwan’s baking industry, which exceeds NT$100 billion, and praised the diverse and exquisite styles of Taiwanese bakers at global competitions. She also expressed gratitude to the Taipei Bakery Association for their efforts in passing down experience and hosting international contests in Taiwan. President Tsai expects the bakery sector to continue delivering high quality and innovative products as it expands its market and introduces Taiwan’s delicious baked goods to the world.

Taiwanese entertainer Tina Chou, also known as ＂Da Ya,＂ has been acquitted of defamation charges by the Taipei District Court. Chou had accused her former boss, Chen Chien-chou, of attempting to assault her years ago, leading to Chen filing a defamation suit against her. The court sessions involved testimonies from both parties, ultimately resulting in the prosecutor’s decision not to pursue charges against Chou. Chou expressed gratitude to the judiciary and hoped her experience would encourage other victims of sexual harassment or assault to come forward. Witnesses, including actress Julie Tsai, supported Chou’s claims. Chen, seeking to clear his name, stated his desire to reveal the truth and prove his innocence through legal means. This case highlights the ongoing conversation about sexual misconduct in Taiwan’s entertainment industry and the challenges faced by those who speak out.

The latest poll released by United Daily News shows a neck-and-neck race unfolding in Taiwan’s upcoming 2024 presidential election. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, known as ＂Lai-Hsiao,＂ have a support rate of 31%, matching the popularity of the Kuomintang (KMT) duo Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, dubbed ＂Hou-Jaw,＂ who also have a 31% approval rating. Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je and his vice-presidential partner, Cynthia Wu, referred to as ＂Ko-Wu,＂ currently stand at 21% in the polls. In terms of in-party support, ＂Lai-Hsiao＂ leads with an 86% approval rate among DPP supporters, ＂Hou-Jaw＂ has an 83% approval from KMT adherents, and ＂Ko-Wu＂ secured an 85% backing from TPP followers. Among neutral voters, ＂Hou-Jaw＂ leads with 25%, followed by ＂Ko-Wu＂ at 23%, and ＂Lai-Hsiao＂ at 19%. However, 45% of all polled voters believe ＂Lai-Hsiao＂ are most likely to win the election, compared to 23% for ＂Hou-Jaw＂ and 13% for ＂Ko-Wu,＂ with 19% feeling the outcome is too close to call. The survey also indicates a collective yearning among 48% of respondents for political change, with 31% expressing a strong desire to see the DPP unseated. The poll, conducted from Dec. 13 to Dec. 17, involved 1,250 adult respondents with an additional 368 refusals. The methodology employed dual-frame sampling of both landline and mobile phones, accounting for mobile-only households, and the results were weighted according to age, gender, and population distribution across various municipalities for those aged over 20. The survey has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan has announced significant revisions to the regulations governing work permits for foreign professionals in arts and performing arts. The new regulations, which will take effect on December 20, aim to attract more foreign artistic talent to Taiwan’s cultural scene. One major change is the acceptance of documents from important international organizations, such as the United Nations, for residents of Hong Kong and Macau who are unable to obtain official recommendation or certification documents. The framework for foreign artistic professionals’ work is divided into four main types: performance and visual arts, publishing, film and broadcasting, and popular music and crafts. The qualifications for the publishing industry have been relaxed to recognize individuals with over five years of publishing experience who demonstrate originality and special performance in their field. Similarly, the qualifications for crafts-related work have been broadened to accept assistant professors or individuals with equivalent qualifications. Prior to these revisions, the application process for foreigners undertaking artistic work in Taiwan was stringent, requiring an application through an employer or by the professionals themselves if they met the necessary qualifications. As of October 2023, Taiwan had 245 self-employed foreign artists holding valid working permits, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a hub for international art professionals.

Taroko Tears, a group for family members of those who died in the 2021 Hualien train derailment, is expressing incredulity at the Taiwan Railways Administration’s (TRA) dismissive attitude towards safety reform discussions. The TRA has repeatedly altered or canceled meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ external oversight committee, raising concerns. The TRA’s upcoming transformation into a corporation on New Year’s Day has sparked skepticism and worry among Taroko Tears. The group has sought a seat on the TRA’s board to monitor safety reforms but was rejected due to a lack of professional expertise. Taroko Tears questions the ability of TRA board members to lead substantial improvements. The external oversight committee has been pushing for joint discussions on safety reforms since September 2023, but the TRA’s handling of these meetings has been criticized as capricious and disrespectful. The TRA is currently in communication with the external oversight group but has yet to respond to their concerns. As the TRA’s transformation approaches, tensions between Taroko Tears and the railway administration are escalating.

Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant JN.1 has been sporadically detected in Taiwan’s local cases. JN.1 is an offspring of the BA.2.86 variant and was first detected in Taiwan on Oct. 20 through a traveler from Japan. The local proportion of the JN.1 strain is below 5 percent, indicating that it has not become the dominant strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the continued use of the XBB.1.5 vaccine strain, which has been shown to be effective against JN.1 and other emerging variants.

The Taipei Marathon took place on a chilly morning with a record-breaking turnout of around 28,000 runners, including an 80-year-old man. Ethiopian runners, Dechasa Alemu Moreda and Obse Abdeta Deme, won the men’s and women’s marathon categories with impressive times of 2:11:56 and 2:27:12, respectively. Taiwanese runners, Chiang Chieh-wen and Chen I-ning, claimed the national titles with finishing times of 2:22:29 and 2:56:37. This year’s marathon set records for the highest number of participating countries, with runners from 62 nations, and the largest ever runner participation, nearing 30,000 entrants. Kenyan athlete, Lani Kiplagat Rutto, who narrowly missed the championship last year, returned but fell short once again.

President Tsai Ing-wen discusses her post-presidency plans, hinting at a possible teaching role after her term ends. Reflecting on her tenure, she acknowledges the challenges faced by Taiwan but highlights the stable growth and economic achievements during her governance. President Tsai expresses gratitude to her supporters and hopes for her successor to lead Taiwan to greater heights. Emphasizing the importance of presidential capability and political transformation, she commends the Democratic Progressive Party candidates for their steadfast execution of the ＂Tsai Ing-wen route.＂ President Tsai emphasizes the need for future leaders who are internationally trusted, capable of upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and maintaining global cooperation and trust.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has announced that conscripted soldiers who fail to pass their basic training will receive a base salary of approximately NT$10,000, without eligibility for professional bonuses or honor leave. The new one-year mandatory service, starting in January 2024, requires conscripts to undergo 8 weeks of basic training followed by 44 weeks of unit training. The basic training curriculum includes combat instruction, tactical marching, and battlefield medical aid courses. Only those who pass the basic training and obtain the ＂Completion of Training Specialty Certificate＂ will qualify for an additional monthly professional bonus of NT$10,190, bringing their total monthly salary to NT$20,320. To ensure training effectiveness, the MND has also issued guidelines for supplementary training and re-tests for conscripts who fail to meet the standards.

The Carrefour Market Fuzhong Store in Banqiao District, New Taipei, will close on January 14, 2024, after operating for 14 years. The store, which has been open 24 hours a day since its grand opening in 2009, will shut down due to the expiration of its lease contract. Carrefour plans to find a new location and announce a grand reopening once a site is selected. The news of the closure has disappointed many customers, particularly those who rely on the store’s round-the-clock services. Residents in the area have been discussing the impending closure, with some expressing shock and pity for the loss of the convenient late-night operation.

Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong publicly appeals for Foxconn founder Terry Gou to return to the party. Gou had initiated a signature campaign for opposition consolidation, but did not register for the 2024 election. Jaw hopes Gou will reconsider and come back to the KMT, emphasizing the party’s need for his support. Gou, who had planned to run as an independent candidate with actress Lai Pei-hsia as his running mate, withdrew from the election before the registration deadline on Nov. 24.

Nearly 60% of Taiwanese people support increasing the national defense budget to 3% of GDP, according to a survey released by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR). The survey, conducted by the National Chengchi University Election Study Center, gathered 1,214 complete responses from November 12 to November 13. Around 9% of respondents believe the current defense budget is very insufficient, while 46% consider it to be insufficient, totaling approximately 55% who think the defense spending needs a boost. Additionally, nearly 60% of the full sample expressed approval for cutting other government expenditures to raise the defense budget, while around 41% would favor paying more taxes to achieve a defense budget constituting 3% of GDP.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je asserts that while 65% of people in Taiwan desire a political party turnover, there is also a 70% majority that opposes the Kuomintang (KMT) being in power. Ko highlights that around 70% of Taiwanese do not want the KMT to assume office, countering media reports on potential strategic voting effects. He suggests conducting further polls to determine the number of people who want the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to step down and those who do not wish for the KMT to take power. Ko cites Vivian Huang’s victory in the 2022 Taipei mayoral election as evidence of a true third force in Taiwanese politics. During his visit to Kaohsiung, Ko is campaigning for Tseng Yin-li, the party’s sole legislative candidate in southern Taiwan.

美國在台協會與駐美代表處13日在華府召開會議，討論擴大支持台灣參與聯合國體系與其他國際論壇，美方並重申支持台灣有意義參與世界衛生大會與國際民航組織。

The Yomiuri Giants, a Japanese professional baseball team, will be playing two exhibition games in Taiwan next March. They will face off against two Taiwanese teams, the CTBC Brothers on March 2 and the Rakuten Monkeys on March 3, at the Taipei Dome. Tsukasa Imamura, the president of the Giants, emphasized the importance of promoting baseball culture in Asia and expressed his hope for more Taiwanese players to join the team in the future. He mentioned that the Giants’ scouts have a high regard for Taiwanese high school players but have noticed a perceived stagnation in their skills after reaching college. Imamura hopes that Taiwan can produce more legendary players like Kuo Tai-yuan and Kuo Yuen-chih, who have already made a name for themselves in Japanese baseball. Throughout the years, 10 Taiwanese players, excluding the iconic Sadaharu Oh, have played for the Giants in Japan’s professional leagues, highlighting the ongoing baseball exchange between the two neighboring countries.