“The World in Pingtung” kicks off over National Day holiday, with markets and performances showcasing foreign cultures
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
“2026 The World in Pingtung” will take place from the 9th to the 11th over the National Day holiday at Pingtung County Park, featuring a market with 100 stalls and international cultural performances, giving visitors a chance to experience diverse foreign cultures without traveling abroad.
Facts
From the 9th to the 11th
Daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
100 specialty stalls
More than 80 stalls will feature specialties from other countries
Lin Zi-miao and daughter both plead not guilty at second trial; Lin Yi-ling denies political motive
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The second-trial hearing in the corruption case involving Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao opened, with Lin and her daughter, Lin Yi-ling, both pleading not guilty. The defense argued that the land retained agricultural value and that the assets came from loans and stock trading, not unexplained wealth. Lin Yi-ling denied having a political motive. Prosecutor Qiu Wen-zhong argued that the land was clearly not farmland but nonetheless received certification, and that the financial transactions were irregular. Lin was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial. The case is expected to conclude closing arguments after 2 more hearings.
Facts
Sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in the first trial
About NT$500,000 each time
If stocks were repeatedly bought and sold 12 times with NT$1 million
Although account transactions totaled NT$12 million
Lin Zi-miao's children later borrowed ten million New Taiwan dollars
Gravel 60 centimeters thick
Lin Zi-miao, Lin Yi-ling, landowner Liu Shi-chun and 13 other defendants found guilty in the first trial
Closing arguments are expected to conclude after 2 more hearings
Arguments continue on the 21st
Exempted the landowner from NT$1.12 million in land value increment tax
Benefits, including exemption from demolition, totaled NT$2.4 million
More than NT$70 million in irregular transactions in the farmers' association account
Golden Bell film and television forum promotes Taiwan-Korea exchanges; Korean teams share global expansion experience
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The 61st Golden Bell Awards International Film and Television Forum, organized by 文化部影視局, invited Korean film and television teams to share their experience integrating IP and producing content across borders, promoting exchanges between Taiwan and Korea.
National Day holiday: Taichung police to deploy drones to monitor traffic in real time
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Taichung City Police Department announced that it will deploy drones to monitor traffic during the National Day holiday and step up traffic control at key intersections. It also urged the public to use public transportation. 台鐵 and 高鐵 will add services, while the Highway Bureau will offer discounts on intercity buses and free transfers.
Proposed increase to salary disclosure threshold for job openings, set at 1.75 times the minimum wage
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Ministry of Labor plans to amend the Employment Service Act, raising the salary disclosure threshold for job openings from the current NT$40,000 to 1.75 times the minimum wage (about NT$50,000) to improve pay transparency.
Facts
1.75 times the minimum wage
Next year's monthly minimum wage will be NT$30,900
Proposed amount: NT$50,000
The current disclosure threshold of NT$40,000
Violators will face fines of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000
Tsai Ing-wen delivers remarks at Stanford seminar dinner, hopes Taiwan and U.S. will work together for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Former President Tsai Ing-wen delivered remarks at the VIP dinner for Stanford University's “2026 Technology and National Security Conference,” saying Taiwan needs to devote more resources to strengthening its defenses and building partnerships. She expressed hope that Taiwan and the United States would work together to create a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Facts
2026 Technology and National Security Conference.
Attended the “2026 Technology and National Security Conference” on the 7th
Wu Pei-yi canvasses in Taichung, leads DPP women candidates in seeking votes at Shu’nan Market
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Pei-yi canvassed at Shu’nan Market in Taichung today, leading 5 DPP city councilors, including Chen Shu-hua and Hsieh Chia-yi, as they went from stall to stall greeting vendors with “Taiwan LV” mesh bags. They also listened to vendors' concerns about vegetable prices and the market environment before visiting a Tudigong temple to pray for blessings.
Li Zhenxiu ineligible to run for Zhubei mayor; Hsinchu County election commission rejects registration
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Hsinchu County Election Commission reviewed candidates' eligibility for local public office and rejected Li Zhenxiu's registration for Zhubei mayor because fewer than 10 years had passed since she submitted proof of renouncing her original mainland Chinese household registration. Li said she would seek legal recourse.
Facts
Reviewed 32 township and city mayoral candidates
252 township and city council representative candidates
369 village and neighborhood chief candidates
A total of 10 candidates were ineligible
A total of 643 candidates were eligible
Not having been registered in Taiwan for 10 years
The date from which the 10-year household registration period is counted
For this election, the required documents had to be submitted by Nov. 28, 2016
She was legally approved by the competent authority in 1999
Another 4 township and city council representative candidates
Groundbreaking held for Changhua's Dacun Joint Administration Building, integrating fire services to create an all-ages service hub
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei announced the groundbreaking for Dacun Township's Joint Administration Building, which will integrate fire, health and childcare services and is expected to be completed in 117.
Facts
Construction costs of more than NT$200 million
衛生福利部 will contribute NT$70 million
3 above-ground floors
Total floor area: 1,078 ping
Scheduled for completion in 117
The childcare center can accommodate 60 children
The county has established 11 dementia care centers
32 community service centers for people with dementia
There are also 11 publicly funded, privately operated childcare centers
Clashes erupt during French high school students’ protests; nearly 500 arrested, Macron calls emergency meeting
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
French high school students staged large-scale protests over aging school buildings and a lack of resources, which escalated into violent clashes and led to nearly 500 arrests. President Macron called an emergency meeting, while Prime Minister Lecornu condemned the violence and arranged discussions on suspending classes.
Facts
At least 488 people arrested today
A total of 256,000 people took part in protests nationwide
Union organizers estimated the protest turnout at 450,000
A total of 215 students and 715 police officers have been injured
More than 6,500 people have been arrested so far
Another 85 school staff members were injured
A total of 24 schools were set on fire or ransacked
Coal-fired Units 1 and 2 at 台電’s Taichung Power Plant were shut down on Sept. 30. A 28-month dismantling project began on Oct. 1 and is expected to be completed in early 2029. A second-phase gas-fired power project is planned for the site.
Facts
Coal-fired Units 1 and 2, which have operated for 36 years
Were shut down on Sept. 30
Retirement and dismantling work began on Oct. 1
A 28-month dismantling project
The entire project is expected to be completed in early 2029
Coal-fired Units 1 and 2 have a combined generating capacity of 1.1 million kW
They gradually became a mainstay of Taiwan’s power supply starting in 1990
The two units generated nearly 280 billion kWh in total
Heavyweight stocks lose steam; Taiwan stocks edge lower, eyeing the 50,000-point mark
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taiwan stocks opened higher and fluctuated today before closing slightly lower, holding above the 49,800-point mark. Heavyweight stocks such as 台積電 were subdued, while high-priced stocks including 川湖 and 穎崴 hit limit-down. Passive components and optical communications stocks provided support and gained ground. Investment advisory analysts said Taiwan stocks were approaching the 50,000-point mark but facing hesitation near the threshold. The broader bullish trend remained intact, but the market could fluctuate at high levels in the short term amid a lack of significant growth in trading volume and cautious sentiment ahead of the Double Ten holiday.
Facts
Held above 49,800 points
The weighted index closed at 49,806.37 points
Down 16.18 points
Down 0.03%
Trading value reached NT$925.992 billion
The electronics index fell 0.45%
The financial index rose 1.02%
台積電 closed unchanged at NT$2,585
國巨 closed up 3.5%
千如 and 鈞寶 closed up about 6%
聯亞 surged more than 7%
Fell below the NT$6,000 mark
Taiwan stocks closed with 56 stocks priced above NT$1,000
Penghu’s maritime workforce is dwindling; 陳振中 pledges to seek a talent training base
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The maritime workforce in Penghu is gradually shrinking due to the declining birthrate. KMT county magistrate candidate 陳振中 pledged to seek central government resources and integrate local resources through a “four-party maritime talent platform” to train maritime professionals for outlying islands.
Carrying on mountaineer 徐耀群’s legacy, “Return to the Summit” climbs the north face of Yushan East Peak again
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The documentary “Return to the Summit: North Face” took 3 years to make and portrays the friendship and spirit of mentorship between Taiwanese mountaineer 徐耀群 and Canadian climber Patrick Lindsay. The film will open in Taiwan on Nov. 20.
Facts
Took 3 years to make
A deep friendship spanning 15 years
After 徐耀群 died in a mountaineering accident in 2022
The film will open in Taiwan on Nov. 20
Patrick Lindsay will also visit Taiwan from Nov. 19 to 24 to take part in film events
台鐵 announced that it will add 3 services on the western line between Taipei and Taichung on Oct. 8 and 11 during the National Day holiday. The local express trains will take about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Road resurfacing in Puli, Nantou; illegally painting a red line outside a temple could incur a NT$2,400 fine
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
During resurfacing work on North Ring Road in Puli, Nantou, temple staff illegally painted a red line. 埔里鎮公所 asked the contractor to pursue accountability and file a police report. Police said the act violates the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act and carries a maximum fine of NT$2,400.
Strong demand for AI chips prompts Marvell to raise fiscal 2028 revenue forecast
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
美滿電子科技公司 (Marvell) raised its fiscal 2028 revenue forecast to about US$20 billion on strong demand for AI chips, above Wall Street expectations. It also lifted its fiscal 2031 revenue target to a range of US$70 billion to US$90 billion.
Taichung man sets fires over rental dispute, torches 3 sites and damages neighborhood chief’s car; prosecutors seek detention
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A man surnamed Li in Taichung set fires over a rental dispute, destroying a neighborhood chief’s car and two temples. Prosecutors sought his detention on suspicion of arson and other offenses.
Russian media: Russia interested in US-Russia-China trilateral meeting at APEC Shenzhen summit
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Russian media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the idea of holding a trilateral meeting of US, Russian and Chinese leaders during the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November had taken shape and was “very interesting,” but specific arrangements were yet to be finalized by China as the host.
Facts
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November
Employees of 艾杰旭 petition county government, seek county chief’s help resolving labor dispute
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Employees at the Yunlin plant of 艾杰旭顯示玻璃股份有限公司 went on strike over a labor dispute and petitioned the Yunlin County Government, seeking help from County Magistrate Chang Li-shan in resolving the issue. The union said the company had not raised wages in 25 years and demanded a 5% across-the-board increase. The county government called on both sides to communicate rationally and continue negotiations.
Facts
80-hour hunger strike
Third day of the strike
Average annual salary reaches NT$673,000
Company has not raised wages in 25 years
5% across-the-board pay raise
Allowance scheduled to be paid in 2028
Moved up to 2027
Implementation to continue after labor and management signed an agreement on June 16
Cai Kang-yong’s appearance at Shen Po-yang campaign headquarters draws attention; Chinese state media launches first unnamed attack
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
After entertainer Cai Kang-yong attended the inauguration of Shen Po-yang’s campaign headquarters, Chinese state media outlet 「鈞正平」 attacked him without naming him. Companies including 零跑汽車 distanced themselves from him.
Taipei stocks ended down 16.18 points at 49806.37 points. October TAIEX futures closed down 103 points at 49979 points, a positive spread of 172.63 points. 台灣期貨交易所 announced the opening reference prices for index futures contracts for the next 2 months.
Institutions: China’s September CPI forecast at around 1%, remaining at a low level
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Several Chinese institutions forecast that the CPI will rise around 1% year over year in September, a moderate recovery from August but still at a relatively low level. The PPI is expected to climb to between 4.1% and 4.5% year over year.
The NT$30 million is still in a trust account, so why did the tax bureau rule it had been given to a son? Many overlook “1 step” and end up owing gift tax
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Taipei National Taxation Bureau of the Ministry of Finance released a case, noting that changing the beneficiary of a self-benefit trust to one’s child is considered a gift, even if the funds have not actually been transferred, and must be reported in accordance with the law.
Facts
In 114, Mr. A placed NT$30 million in a trust, with the agreement naming himself as the beneficiary for a trust term of 3 years.
In 115, Mr. A amended the trust agreement, changing the beneficiary from himself to his son, B.
The tax bureau determined that the change effectively constituted a gift because the right to trust benefits originally held by Mr. A was transferred to his son.
Even if the NT$30 million remains within the trust structure throughout, a gift may have occurred under tax law if the father changes the trust agreement to give his son the right to the assets.
Mr. A must, in accordance with regulations, file a gift tax return and pay the tax within 30 days of the change, based on the value of the assets when the trust agreement was amended.
Traveling abroad with kids? Stop going to Japan and South Korea! Insiders reveal “5 top countries for family trips”: convenient transport, safe, affordable and fun with great value
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines five Southeast Asian countries outside Japan and South Korea that are suitable for Taiwanese families traveling abroad with children—Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines—and compares flight times, visas, prices and family-friendly facilities to offer travel options with great value.
Facts
Singapore is a top choice for many families taking their children abroad for the first time. The city is compact, with attractions close together, so there is no need for long journeys.
Taiwanese travelers can visit Singapore visa-free for 30 days, but must apply online for an electronic arrival card (SG Arrival Card) before boarding.
Flying from Taiwan to Cebu in the Philippines takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, closer than Tokyo and the shortest flight for an island getaway.
Taiwanese travelers must apply for an e-visa in advance to visit mainland Vietnam; only Phu Quoc offers visa-free entry to travelers who meet the requirements.
Prices in Malaysia are relatively low compared with these countries, making it suitable for families on a budget who want to travel abroad.
Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok each offer different experiences, and resorts of the same class are markedly cheaper than those in Japan and South Korea.
Da Nang in Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing family destinations in recent years. Resort quality has improved, while prices remain lower than on Thailand’s popular islands.
Stop soaking cauliflower in salt water or baking soda! Expert shares 1 thorough cleaning trick that makes bugs and pesticides float right up
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A Japanese produce expert shares the correct way to wash cauliflower and tips for thawing frozen cauliflower to improve cleanliness and texture, emphasizing the importance of using running water.
Facts
Cauliflower has a tightly packed structure, so rinsing only its surface under running water cannot thoroughly remove dirt trapped inside.
Adding a paper towel when thawing frozen cauliflower in the microwave absorbs excess moisture and keeps it crisp and sweet.
Using a paper towel while heating cauliflower in the microwave can reduce the loss of water-soluble nutrients and preserve nutrients such as vitamin C.
Follow the fragrance into the mountains and rest by the lake: 阿原 partners with 力麗哲園會館 to create “A Fragrant Encounter at the Sacred Mountain,” bringing Yangmingshan’s botanical aromas to a leisurely autumn and winter trip to Sun Moon Lake
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
力麗哲園會館, part of 力麗觀光, and 阿原YUAN have launched the “A Fragrant Encounter at the Sacred Mountain” accommodation package, combining Sun Moon Lake views with Yangmingshan fragrances and offering an autumn and winter travel experience with herbal gifts and a hands-on activity.
Facts
力麗哲園會館 and 阿原YUAN are offering the “A Fragrant Encounter at the Sacred Mountain” accommodation package from October 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027.
The concept slogan for the collaboration is “Though the mountains cannot meet, fragrance can.”
阿原 has been rooted in Yangmingshan for 21 years.
力麗觀光 has been deeply involved in Sun Moon Lake for more than 20 years.
Guests staying under the package receive exclusive 阿原 plant-based gifts, including 2 plant-based masks and 15 grams each of mugwort and shell ginger cold-process aged soap.
The herbal sachet-making activity offers a choice of 2 blends: “Fresh and Safe” and “Sleep and Serenity.”
Cilantro overload! 王品和牛涮 launches “Gold Medal Player” challenge, featuring a new cilantro and wagyu sukiyaki two-way feast
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
和牛涮, part of 王品集團, has launched its autumn “Gold Medal Player | The Cilantro Challenge” promotion, pairing Australian gold-medal purebred wagyu with cilantro in 4 limited-edition dishes.
Facts
和牛涮, a brand under 王品集團, has launched its limited-time “Gold Medal Player | The Cilantro Challenge” promotion.
The promotion’s main ingredients are Australian gold-medal purebred wagyu and cilantro.
The first limited-time dish is “Cilantro Tsunami | Two Ways to Enjoy Cilantro and Wagyu Sukiyaki.”
The second limited-time dish is “Searing Strike | Seared Wagyu Sushi with Cilantro.”
The third limited-time dish is “Aromatic Bomb | Cilantro Yaki,” featuring wild-caught fish paste.
The finale dessert is “Aromatic Surprise | Cilantro and Peanut Taiyaki Soft Serve.”
MAX Token Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Multiple Promotions Across Two Platforms, Including an iPhone Duo Prize Draw Linking Staking, Trading and Diverse Product Experiences; Coinholder Gifts and ETH High-Annualized-Yield Earn-to-Receive Offer Available for a Limited Time
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
MAX Token, from MaiCoin 集團’s MAX 數位資產交易所, marks its 8th anniversary with limited-time rewards across the MaiCoin and MAX platforms, including an ETH Earn-to-Receive offer, a 3,000 MAX Token prize pool and an iPhone Duo prize draw.
Facts
MAX Token marks its 8th anniversary as MaiCoin 集團’s MAX 數位資產交易所 launches a series of limited-time promotions.
An ETH high-annualized-yield Earn-to-Receive offer will be available during the promotion period, with subscriptions opening at 2 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Users who meet the specified MAX Token staking requirements can share a 3,000 MAX Token prize pool.
Users who stake at least 5,000 MAX Token can apply for a limited-edition “Coinholder Gift,” with a total of 150 available.
The two-platform iPhone Duo task promotion gives users one entry for each specified task completed, with one lucky user to be drawn.
MAX Token holders receive daily airdrops, funded by the exchange converting part of its trading fee revenue into MAX Token.
Companies mentioned：MaiCoin 集團、MAX 數位資產交易所、MaiCoin 數位資產買賣平台、LINE Bank
Eating eggs can help prevent dementia! But experts reveal that you should avoid eating too much of “this kind” of egg: it loses its nutrients and can make your hair fall out
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Nutritionist Zhang Yuxi and food safety advocate Tan Tun-tzu each cited research indicating that eating eggs more than 5 times a week may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 27%. They said people of Asian descent are advised to eat 3 hard-boiled eggs a day to optimize cholesterol levels and prevent hair loss caused by avidin.
Facts
A study that followed nearly 40,000 U.S. adults for 15 years found that those who ate eggs more than 5 times a week had up to a 27% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease than those who rarely ate eggs.
Nutritionist Zhang Yuxi explained that eggs are rich in choline, an important nutrient source for the brain’s production of neurotransmitters.
Food safety advocate Tan Tun-tzu cited a Peking University study recommending that people of Asian descent can eat about 3 eggs a day to help raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.
Raw egg whites that are not fully cooked contain a substance called “avidin,” which interferes with the body’s absorption of biotin and can cause hair loss.
Egg whites contain a natural biotin “protein inhibitor,” which must be broken down through thorough cooking at high temperatures so the body can fully absorb the nutrients in eggs.
China Bad-Debt Concerns Persist; 國票金 Earns Just 346 Million in September, Down 15.4% Year on Year
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
國票金控’s September earnings were affected by bad debts at its Chinese subsidiary, falling 15.4% year on year to 346 million; however, cumulative earnings for the first 9 months rose 116.3% year on year to 3.693 billion, buoyed by a strong stock market.
Facts
國票金控 posted after-tax net profit of 346 million in September, down 15.4% year on year.
國票金’s cumulative after-tax net profit for the first 9 months was 3.693 billion, up 116.3% year on year.
Its Chinese subsidiary, Guowang Leasing, increased provisions for bad-debt losses amid a weak economy.
國票證 posted after-tax net profit of 452.95 million in September, up 194.2% year on year.
國際票券 posted after-tax net profit of 179.97 million in September, down 10.4% year on year.
A mountain may be out of sight, but its fragrance can travel! 阿原 and 力麗哲園會館 create a “Fragrant Encounter with the Sacred Mountain,” bringing Yangmingshan’s botanical scents to a Sun Moon Lake getaway
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
力麗觀光’s 力麗哲園會館 and 阿原YUAN have partnered on the “Fragrant Encounter with the Sacred Mountain” package, combining Yangmingshan-inspired fragrances with a stay at Sun Moon Lake from October 2026 to February 2027, and offering plant-based wellness gifts and hands-on activities.
Facts
力麗哲園會館 and 阿原YUAN have teamed up to offer the “Fragrant Encounter with the Sacred Mountain” accommodation package.
The partnership’s concept is “A mountain may be out of sight, but its fragrance can travel,” bringing together the local character of Yangmingshan and Sun Moon Lake.
力麗觀光 has focused on Sun Moon Lake for more than 20 years, while 阿原 has been rooted in Yangmingshan for 21 years.
The themed display area in each guest room features 三 signature fragrance mists from 阿原: “Cloud,” “Mist” and “Dawn.”
The accommodation package includes exclusive plant-based wellness gifts from 阿原: two plant-based wellness masks and one each of mugwort and shell ginger cold-process soaps.
Guests can choose between two herbal sachet-making options: a “Refreshing Good-Luck Sachet” and a “Relaxing Sleep and Meditation Sachet.”
Why shout “The fire is coming, run!” during cremation? It’s not because people fear the body will feel pain; the original purpose was to give the living an outlet for their emotions
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines the origins and religious perspectives of the “The fire is coming, run!” custom during cremations in Taiwan, and explains how to apply for a cremation permit and the practical steps involved.
Facts
The origins of shouting “The fire is coming, run!” during cremation are unclear, but two beliefs may explain it: warning the deceased’s spirit to leave to avoid being burned, or relatives crying out because they fear the fire will cause pain.
From a scientific perspective, the nerves and receptors responsible for sensing pain stop functioning after death, so cremation does not cause pain.
Dharma Drum Mountain founder Master Sheng Yen taught that the bardo body, between death and rebirth, is formless and not constrained by space, so it cannot be trapped inside a cremation furnace.
Before a body is cremated, a cremation permit must be obtained from the relevant authorities to ensure there is no concealment of a body or destruction of evidence.
During the cremation process, family members wait in a lounge for about 1 to 1.5 hours, then go to the bone-picking room to collect the bones.
Can toilet paper really be flushed down the toilet? Many people in Taiwan have been throwing it in the trash for decades, but the Environment Ministry says the opposite
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Environment Ministry is promoting a “flush toilet paper” policy, stating clearly that toilet paper that meets CNS 1091 and is dispersible can be flushed directly under normal plumbing conditions. The measure aims to improve restroom hygiene and reduce odors and the breeding of disease vectors, while clarifying that items such as facial tissues, which do not disperse easily, should still go in the trash.
Facts
The Environment Ministry’s Environmental Management Administration says that dispersible toilet paper meeting the requirements can be flushed directly under normal flushing and plumbing conditions.
Under guidelines revised by the Environment Ministry in August 2025, toilet paper provided in public restrooms should meet the national standard CNS 1091.
The trap in a typical toilet is about 2 inches in diameter, and the downstream wastewater pipe is about 4 inches, so toilet paper can usually pass through without difficulty.
Facial tissues are designed to retain a certain level of strength when wet, so their properties differ from those of toilet paper and they should not be flushed.
The Environment Ministry has promoted related measures since 2017, hoping to gradually change Taiwan’s long-standing habit of throwing used toilet paper in the trash.
Not sure what to watch over the National Day holiday? 3 major streaming platforms offer a must-watch list of 12 titles, from Korean dramas and anime to Marvel
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
During the 2026 Double Ten National Day holiday, 3 major streaming platforms, Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max, are releasing a range of new titles, including Japanese and Korean dramas, anime, Marvel series and Taiwanese dramas to suit different viewers.
Facts
Disney+ will release Tokyo Revengers: Three Deities Arc on October 3, continuing the story of the feud between the Tokyo Manji Gang and Tenjiku and the battles of the Three Deities era.
Disney+ will release the cross-border Japanese-Korean romantic comedy Berry Meets You, starring Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio, on October 7.
Disney+ will release the Marvel series Vision Quest on October 14, which follows Vision as he is reborn and searches for meaning in life.
Netflix's recent lineup includes Lupin Part 4, in which the protagonist sets out once again to clear his name and expose an impostor.
HBO Max's recent lineup includes The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the finale of the Taiwanese web series Come On! Golden Ship!
Participating in the Digital Trust Program of the Administration for Digital Industries for 3 consecutive years, Coupang Taiwan leads the adoption of e-signatures for Rocket Cross-Border, streamlining its own declaration process and making shopping safer
Coupang has become the first company in Taiwan to put an innovative e-signature application into practice in a consumer setting.
In 2024, Coupang became the first to introduce logistics number-masking technology to protect delivery-related personal information.
In 2025, Coupang upgraded and fully introduced Coupang Passkey on both iOS and Android.
Previously, consumers buying second-category radio-frequency equipment with wireless capabilities had to fill out a declaration for personal use by hand, often resulting in applications being rejected or requiring additional documents.
Lin Chun-hsiu, director-general of the Administration for Digital Industries, said that promoting digital trust aims to help businesses reduce operational and personal data risks and improve service quality.
Netflix has announced its latest Taiwan viewership rankings, with The College Bombing and Irreplaceable taking the top spots in films and series, respectively. The article also compiles lists of titles newly added in October and those set to leave the service, offering viewers recommendations for what to watch.
Facts
Netflix publishes its global top 10 viewing rankings every Tuesday, based on viewing hours from the previous Monday through Sunday.
The College Bombing (UNABOMBER) topped this week's film viewership rankings in Taiwan.
Irreplaceable topped this week's series viewership rankings in Taiwan.
The top non-English-language film was Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle—Chapter 1: Akaza Returns, with 16 million viewing hours.
The top English-language film was The College Bombing (UNABOMBER), with 41.5 million viewing hours.
The top non-English-language series was Not a Stranger, with 34.8 million viewing hours.
The top English-language series was East of Eden, with 45.5 million viewing hours.
Taiwan must look beyond drone manufacturing, says TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang: Leverage semiconductor strengths to enter the global defense supply chain
TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang said Taiwan should turn its strengths in semiconductors, communications and other fields into defense industry capabilities.
Original外貿協會今年6月組團訪問烏克蘭並在波蘭華沙舉辦台灣形象展。
Poland will host a Ukraine reconstruction expo this November, with drones and unmanned vehicles among the key topics.
The focus on trusted partners and non-red supply chains has become an important international procurement standard.
Kuomintang candidate Lee Chuan-chiu has 42.6% support in the New Taipei mayoral election poll, ahead of Democratic Progressive Party candidate Su Chiao-hui, who has 35.9%.
Among voters with no party affiliation, Lee Chuan-chiu received 33.9% support and Su Chiao-hui 21.6%, a gap of 12.3 percentage points.
Lee Chuan-chiu leads Su Chiao-hui by 10.8 percentage points in the Sanchong-Xinzhuang area.
In this poll, 77.8% of Taiwan People's Party supporters chose Lee Chuan-chiu.
The poll had a valid sample of 1,210 New Taipei City residents aged 20 and older.
Cracking down on hostile forces! Trump administration targets fentanyl and dumping as key data is revealed
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Rodney Scott said on October 6 that economic security is as important as physical borders. The Trump administration is stepping up advance reporting requirements and tariff policies to prevent fentanyl smuggling, dumping and biological threats, and to protect domestic industries.
Facts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Rodney Scott attended a policy seminar in Washington, D.C., on October 6, U.S. Eastern Time.
Rodney Scott stressed the urgency of economic security to national security, saying it is “just as important” as physical border defenses.
President Trump signed an executive order in June this year requiring importers and traders to provide detailed advance information before goods enter the country.
Criminals use the vast and complex global trade network as cover to smuggle synthetic opioids, fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.
Scott warned that if certain countries view the U.S. agricultural economy as a threat, they could deliberately introduce invasive pests to destroy U.S. supply chains.
Why do I have to pay when I get hit while turning left at an intersection? The Transportation Department reveals the investigation findings: Many drivers have this rule wrong
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Transportation Department clarified that left-turning vehicles have no right of way, stressing that turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight. Statistics show failure to yield is a leading cause of accidents, and drivers are urged to follow right-of-way rules to avoid crashes and liability.
Facts
Under Article 102, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 7 of the current Road Traffic Safety Regulations, a vehicle turning at an intersection must yield to vehicles going straight.
Original民國95年以前的法規曾規定若轉彎車已達中心處，直行車應讓轉彎車先行，此規定已修改。
The Transportation Department's analysis of accident causes found that drivers were at fault in 98.4% of cases; failure to yield as required accounted for 20%, the highest proportion.
A taxi driver surnamed Chang failed to yield while turning left and was found to be primarily responsible for an accident involving a motorcyclist surnamed Tsai.
If an intersection has no left-turn waiting area, a vehicle turning left should wait at the center line of the extension of its lane.
Everyone wants to take a gamble and turn their fortunes around! South Korean retail investors pile into leveraged single-stock ETFs, losing 54 billion in just 3 months
The data were compiled by the South Korean Financial Supervisory Service from 10 major brokerage platforms, including 未來資產證券, Kiwoom證券, 三星證券 and NH投資證券.
Since July, South Korean regulators have banned brokerages from listing new single-stock leveraged products and raised the minimum cash margin requirement.
Retail investors are required to complete training courses on high-risk financial derivatives in advance.
Under the tough intervention, trading volume in South Korean semiconductor leveraged ETFs plunged sharply.
Is AMD sparking another memory-buying spree? Lisa Su warns of shortages and steps in to coordinate; market sees these 2 Taiwanese companies as big winners
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
AMD CEO Lisa Su announced a multibillion-dollar investment plan during a visit to Taiwan and warned of memory shortages, with the market expecting 力成 and 群聯 to benefit.
Facts
AMD CEO Lisa Su made a whirlwind visit to Taiwan on the 6th, meeting Taiwanese customers and supply-chain partners.
AMD announced a US$10 billion investment plan in Taiwan (about NT$320 billion) and plans to raise the amount further.
Lisa Su warned that memory supplies remain tight and said the company is actively coordinating with suppliers and customers.
力成 Chairman Tsai Tu-kung said the fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP) project with AMD is progressing, with mass production expected in mid-2027.
力成 is investing NT$50 billion to build the P11 advanced packaging plant, offering one-stop services for AI chips from the front end through the back end.
AMD's AI rack, Helios, integrates 72 Instinct MI455X GPUs in a single rack, with each GPU supporting up to 432GB of HBM4 memory and the entire rack holding up to 31TB of memory.
At this year's Taipei International Computer Show, 群聯 demonstrated a PCIe-to-UFS storage architecture using its PS5963 bridge chip.
Not Yingge or Xizhi! Experts identify this 1 area as a housing-price dip in Greater Taipei: an easy commute to Xinyi District
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
James Huang, a director at 高力國際, analyzed changes in New Taipei City's housing market, noting that the threshold for first-time buyers has risen and that homes priced below NT$10 million accounted for just 1.6% of presale transactions. Experts advised buyers to consider areas such as Qingpu in Taoyuan and Shenkeng, while weighing transportation and access to daily amenities.
Facts
In the first half of this year, presale homes in New Taipei City priced below NT$10 million accounted for just 1.6% of transactions.
Homes priced between NT$20 million and NT$30 million accounted for 38% of New Taipei City's presale housing market.
The average transaction price of existing homes in Taipei last year reached NT$29 million.
Per-ping prices for some presale projects in Banqiao, Zhonghe, Yonghe and Sanchong exceeded NT$1 million.
Prices for some new projects in Tucheng have reached the 7-range.
Shenkeng has relatively limited housing supply because of its terrain, but driving to Taipei's Xinyi District is very convenient.
He spent NT$35 million on a townhouse for retirement! The homeowner had no mortgage but regretted it 10 years later; his wife's death made him realize how frightening “this” was
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A Japanese man in his 70s, identified as Mr. A, paid 35 million yen upfront for a townhouse so his wife could enjoy a secure retirement. But after his wife suffered a stroke, became paralyzed and died, he was left living alone in a largely unused home, facing hefty repair costs once the house reached 10 years of age. His experience highlights the potential risks of buying a home in retirement.
Facts
Mr. A paid 35 million yen upfront for a small, two-story home some distance from the nearest station.
When Mr. A retired at 65, he received a retirement payout of 10 million yen.
Mr. A and his wife had combined monthly pension income of about 270,000 yen.
After buying the home, Mr. A had about 8 million yen in savings left.
Mr. A spent money renovating the home and moved the bedroom from the second floor to the first to make it easier to use a wheelchair.
His wife died at 74, leaving Mr. A alone in the “retirement home” he had originally prepared for her.
After the home passed 10 years of age, repairs began to crop up, including work on the roof's waterproofing and termite prevention.
Facing major repair and equipment-replacement bills that can easily exceed 100,000 yen, he had to draw on his remaining savings.
Youth climate action takes more than passion! Cathay Climate Change Youth Forum explores practical starting points through climate adaptation
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
國泰投信 held its seventh Climate Change Youth Forum, focusing on climate adaptation and youth resilience. The forum brought together scholars, business leaders and youth representatives to explore practical pathways for climate action, from personal habits to social systems, through panel discussions and a debate salon. More than 2,700 people have participated in the event, which aims to provide a platform for young people to speak out and take action.
Facts
The theme of the seventh Cathay Climate Change Youth Forum was “Adapt, Don’t Act on a Whim; Build Youth Resilience.”
More than 2,700 people have participated in the forum to date.
Chao Pin-yu has a background in atmospheric science and has applied that expertise through work with the UN's IPCC.
Lin Tzu-ping is a distinguished professor in the Department of Architecture at National Cheng Kung University.
Tsai Shang-hua hosted the youth resilience debate salon.
國泰投信 General Manager Liu Shang-chi joined several speakers for a panel discussion.
Tucheng wife-killer escapes death despite fewer than 3 victims! Wang Shih-chien says “my heart is dead” twice: If you can't bear to impose the death penalty, don't be a judge
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Shih-chien sharply criticized the judges in the Tucheng wife-murder case for not imposing the death penalty. He said the judges had arbitrarily interpreted “multiple people” to mean 3 or more in order to avoid a death sentence, defying the will of 97% of the public, and urged anyone unwilling to impose the death penalty to resign.
Facts
Hsieh Wen-hsiung, a man from Tucheng, hacked his wife and sister-in-law to death in the street but was not sentenced to death.
The ruling said Hsieh killed 2 people, which did not meet the meaning of “multiple people” in Constitutional Interpretation No. 8.
DPP lawmaker Wang Shih-chien criticized the presiding judge for arbitrarily interpreting “multiple people” as 3 or more.
Wang Shih-chien said 97% of the public supports carrying out the death penalty.
Wang Shih-chien said that if citizen judges support the death penalty but 1 career judge opposes it, the entire verdict can be overturned.
Unplugging appliances really can save electricity! But experts warn never to unplug these 7 types: it can raise your power bill and damage the machines
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
U.S. appliance technology expert Tim Hodnicki warned that blindly and frequently unplugging appliances may not save electricity and could instead accelerate damage or cause fires. The article lists 7 types of appliances, including refrigerators and washing machines, that should not be unplugged, and offers proper energy-saving tips, such as using power strips with individual switches.
Facts
工研院 says about 7.4% of electricity used by households across Taiwan goes to “standby power.”
U.S. appliance technology expert Tim Hodnicki stressed that not all household appliances are suited to frequent unplugging.
After a refrigerator stops running, its interior temperature rises quickly. When it is plugged back in, the compressor runs under a heavy load to cool it down faster, consuming more electricity instead.
Frequently restarting Wi-Fi routers and modems not only makes internet connections unstable but also significantly shortens the devices' service life.
Ovens and high-powered induction cooktops are high-current appliances. Unplugging them after cooking can wear down the plug contacts and increase the risk of overheating and short circuits.
Storage and tankless water heaters are used every day. Frequently cutting their power supply puts extra strain on the heating elements, causing temperature fluctuations and higher energy consumption.
The standby power consumption of newer microwave ovens is negligible. The electricity savings from repeatedly unplugging them are minimal, while doing so can wear down the metal contacts in the plug.
Germany's far right takes another step forward! AfD wins state parliament speakership for the first time, paving the way for the first far-right state premier since the war
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Germany's far-right AfD won the speakership of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on October 6, 2026, a postwar first. An unusually high number of abstentions by the Christian Democratic Union raised questions about internal discipline, while AfD used the breakthrough to advance its bid for the state premiership election in December.
Facts
AfD Secretary-General Rausch was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, marking the first time a far-right politician has held the post since the war.
AfD won 39 seats with 43.8% of the vote in the state parliamentary election on September 6, becoming the largest party.
Secret-ballot results in the speaker election showed that the number of abstentions by the Christian Democratic Union differed from expectations, prompting suspicions of defections.
AfD hard-liner Tillschneider was elected deputy speaker with 44 votes.
AfD state party leader Siegmund postponed the state-premier vote until December; the party is currently 3 votes short of winning.
Taiwan's Functional Fabrics Take Center Stage: 31 Textile Companies and Six Designer Brands Reimagine the Future with 48 Looks, Showcasing a New Vision of Sustainability
The 美光 Taiwan MTTW union won strike authorization in a vote, demanding an employee profit-sharing system based on 15% of operating income. It criticized the current bonus and stock award systems as seriously imbalanced and urged the board to respond to its four key demands.
Facts
The 美光 Taiwan MTTW union announced that it had won the right to strike and establish picket lines.
About 99.1% of those who voted supported the strike.
The union is calling for an employee profit-sharing mechanism based on 15% of operating income.
In 2025, 美光's CEO received a cash performance award equivalent to 32.4 months of salary.
美光 granted about 11 million restricted shares in 2025, averaging about 207 shares per person.
美光's board is expected to meet on Oct. 8 and 9, U.S. time.
Jian Wenxiu to Perform Tonight at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology! She Joins the Southern Taiwan Housewives Association for “I Am Wangchunfeng,” Teaching Taiwanese Vocal Style and Melisma to Warm an Autumn Night with Nostalgia
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Vocalist Jian Wenxiu will give a folk-song lecture tonight at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, teaching the vocal style of Taiwanese songs such as “Wangchunfeng” and passing on local music culture.
Facts
At the invitation of the Tainan City Southern Taiwan Housewives Association, vocalist Jian Wenxiu will give a lecture-performance on Taiwanese folk songs titled “I Am Wangchunfeng” at 南臺科技大學 on the evening of Oct. 7.
Jian Wenxiu will demonstrate “Wangchunfeng” and “The One I Long For,” guiding listeners in diction, intonation and melisma techniques.
Jian Wenxiu has won the Golden Tripod Award for Best Vocal Performance and Record Publication, as well as the Ministry of Education's Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Promotion of Indigenous Languages Award.
The event will take place in the concert hall on B1 of the Wen Bing Hall in Building N at 南臺科技大學. Advance registration is required, and attendance is limited.
Earlier this month, Jian Wenxiu was invited to perform at the founding ceremony of the Department of Taiwanese Languages and Culture at National Taipei University of Education.
Taichung Second-Year High School Student Dies in Fall; Family Had Planned Japan Trip Before His Birthday. Father Tearfully Makes 3 Appeals: “We Want to Know What Happened to Our Child”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A second-year high school student in Taichung died in a fall on the eve of his birthday. His grieving father made three appeals, hoping to establish what happened to his son; the family had previously planned a trip to Japan.
Beyond the Classroom, Face-to-Face with the World! VIS Makes Its Fourth Visit to Berlin Schools, Building Taiwan-Germany Ties. From Transitional Justice Debates to Lessons in Diplomacy, Students Develop a Global Outlook
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Original臺北市VIS國際實驗教育今年四度訪問德國柏林，參訪John F. Kennedy School與波茨坦Dalton-Gymnasium Potsdam，透過模擬聯合國辯論及轉型正義對話深化國際視野，並獲駐德代表谷瑞生指導，為11月國際會議做準備。
Facts
Original臺北市VIS國際實驗教育今年四度造訪德國柏林的John F. Kennedy School。
John F. Kennedy School was founded in 1960 and is known for its bilingual German-American and bicultural education.
The VIS delegation met with Taiwan Representative to Germany Ku Jui-sheng and heard about his diplomatic work and experiences living abroad.
VIS CEO Huang Li-chi said he hopes student exchanges will establish long-term partnerships.
VIS students will hold in-depth discussions on transitional justice with local young people.
VIS teachers and students shared educational ideas with Dörte Schubert, principal of Dalton-Gymnasium Potsdam, and Rainer Genilke, vice president of the Brandenburg State Parliament.
Companies mentioned：臺北市VIS國際實驗教育、John F. Kennedy School、Dalton-Gymnasium Potsdam
Is It Legal for Landlords to Charge NT$6 or NT$7 per Unit of Electricity? They Can No Longer Set Their Own Rates—Here's How the Actual Cap Is Calculated
The new rules on electricity charges apply to residential leases signed from July 15, 2024. Landlords collecting electricity bills on tenants' behalf may not charge more per unit than the average electricity rate for the current billing period.
The average electricity rate per unit for the current billing period is calculated by adding the basic electricity charge, usage charge and public-area costs, then dividing the total by the number of units used during the period.
If a landlord violates the new rules on rental electricity charges and fails to make corrections by the deadline, they may be fined from NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Consumer Protection Act.
If the landlord still fails to comply after being given another deadline to make corrections, they may be fined from NT$50,000 to NT$500,000, with further fines possible for each violation.
After submitting an application with documents such as the lease, tenants can look up relevant information through Taiwan Power Company's rental housing electricity bill inquiry section.
How Did Wu Zetian Die? She Died Suddenly Less Than a Year After Abdicating—The Real Cause of Death Revealed, and the History Books Were Too Embarrassed to Record It
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines Wu Zetian's death and abdication. In the first month of the first year of the Shenlong era, Zhang Jianzhi launched a coup, killed the Zhang brothers and forced her to abdicate. Wu Zetian died of illness at Shangyang Palace in the eleventh month of the same year, aged 82. Official histories record that she died of illness; later speculation has linked her death to grief or excessive indulgence.
Facts
Wu Zetian was forced to abdicate in the first month of the first year of the Shenlong era (705) in a coup led by Zhang Jianzhi and others. She died of illness at Shangyang Palace in the eleventh month of the same year, aged 82.
The male favorites most trusted by Wu Zetian in her later years were the brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong. Their interference in government affairs led to the Shenlong coup.
Wu Zetian once ordered that handsome young men from across the realm be selected to enter the palace, but dropped the plan after officials submitted memorials urging her to stop.
Xue Huaiyi was introduced to the palace by Princess Qianjin in the first year of the Chuigong era (685), when Wu Zetian had not yet become emperor.
Later speculation about Wu Zetian's cause of death has suggested that she may have been overcome with grief after her male favorites were executed, but this is not explicitly recorded in historical sources.
Huang Guangqin Reveals Inside Story of Blue-White Alliance Breakdown in Zhubei, Says Party Chairs Were Responsible; Blaming Hsu Hsin-ying Was “Getting Off Track”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Veteran journalist Huang Guangqin analyzed the breakdown of Blue-White cooperation in Zhubei, accusing Taiwan People's Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang of making false claims by shifting the blame to Kuomintang candidate Hsu Hsin-ying. She said the issue involved negotiations at the party-chair level, party nomination rules and party autonomy, and that Hsu had no authority to replace Wu Hsu-chih, who won the primary.
Facts
Huang Guangqin said Taiwan People's Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang's decision to point the finger afterward at Hsu Hsin-ying, the Kuomintang's Hsinchu County mayoral candidate, was what took the whole matter “off track.”
Huang Guangqin said the Taiwan People's Party's insistence on nominating Chiu Chen-yuan in Zhubei was Ko Wen-je's decision, and was related to Ko's strong showing in Zhubei in the 2024 presidential election.
4 people took part in the Kuomintang's Zhubei mayoral primary, with Wu Hsu-chih placing first in the party's opinion poll.
Cheng Li-wun had proposed choosing the Blue-White candidate through an opinion poll, but the Taiwan People's Party did not accept the proposal.
Huang Guangqin questioned Huang Kuo-chang for championing Blue-White cooperation while also saying he would not stop some “Little Grass” supporters unhappy with Hsu Hsin-ying from switching their support to Democratic Progressive Party Hsinchu County mayoral candidate Cheng Chao-fang.
Alishan Coffee Takes Tokyo by Storm! Weng Chang-liang Brings 8 Estates to SCAJ for the First Time to Pursue International Business
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Chiayi County's 啡嚐嘉義 brand made its first group appearance at the SCAJ exhibition in Tokyo, bringing together 8 estates to target the Kanto market. County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang announced a dedicated section at Eslite Nihonbashi and collaborations with Japanese brands to take the stories of the coffee-growing regions to the world.
Facts
Chiayi County specialty coffee brand 啡嚐嘉義 made its first group appearance at the SCAJ International Specialty Coffee Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan.
The exhibition brought together 8 local estates, including Yipin Coffee Estate and Dou Yu Xiang Geisha Estate.
At the 2025 Taiwan Excellence Cup International Coffee Competition, Chiayi County took 20 of the top 27 places and won 3 Presidential Awards.
The county government plans to open a sales section at 誠品生活 Nihonbashi, featuring 11 estates and 12 specialty coffees.
Weng Chang-liang announced plans to partner with Japanese coffee brands including GESHARY COFFEE and Brewman Tokyo to launch co-branded products.
County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang attended a pre-departure press conference on Oct. 7.
Yamui Coffee Estate took first and second place in the 2026 BOC Yushan Awards.
Companies mentioned：啡嚐嘉義、誠品生活、GESHARY COFFEE、Brewman Tokyo、Times Club
2026 National Day holiday freeway traffic control guide: On Freeway 5, vehicles carrying fewer than 3 people cannot enter during high-occupancy controls; see free-toll periods and ramp closures at a glance.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Freeway Bureau announced traffic controls for the 2026 National Day holiday, including high-occupancy controls and ramp closures on Freeway 5. Freeway tolls will be waived overnight, some sections of Freeway 3 will offer discounted tolls, and intercity bus discounts will be offered to help ease traffic.
Northbound high-occupancy controls on Freeway 5 will be in effect from 13:00 to 18:00 on Oct. 10 and 11, requiring vehicles to carry at least 3 people.
During the National Day holiday, freeway tolls will be suspended daily from 0:00 to 5:00.
Original國3新竹系統至燕巢系統在連假期間採單一費率再8折。
Original國慶連假期間85條國道客運路線提供85折優惠，TPASS 2.0會員可享常客回饋。
Those who violate high-occupancy controls on Freeway 5 are subject to a fine of at least NT$600 and no more than NT$1,200 under Article 33 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.
Financial AI does more than chat: IBM partners with 百商數位科技 on smart wealth management, with multi-agent collaboration opening new possibilities for investment research.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
百商數位科技 (MDBS), IBM and 是方電訊 held a seminar showcasing how multi-agent collaboration and structured data (Owl AI) can optimize financial AI applications. Demonstrations showed that structured APIs can greatly reduce Token usage and improve data completeness, advancing AI from question-and-answer tasks to wealth management and investment research execution.
Facts
百商數位科技 (MDBS), IBM and 是方電訊 jointly held the seminar “Brain of Tomorrow: Financial AI Solutions × Smart Data Centers.”
Financial advisers spend about 35% to 40% of their time on administrative tasks such as compliance checks, KYC customer reviews and risk identification.
The “Owl AI” developed by MDBS provides structured financial data, covering real-time prices and volume, technical indicators, fund flows, and fundamentals such as revenue and earnings per share.
On-site tests showed that using a structured data API to calculate the past 15 years of returns for Yuanta Taiwan 50 reduced Token usage from 766,301 to 45,921, a decrease of more than 94%.
The “Lobster Villa” multi-agent collaboration model assigns separate agents to analyze institutional investors, financial statements and trading positions, then has a lead analyst agent consolidate the findings into a research report.
Chen Hsiao-lun, general manager of IBM Taiwan’s target markets and ecosystem, said wealth management involves sensitive customer data, financial expertise and complex processes, making it an important application for AI agents.
MDBS Chairman Chang Li-yuan stressed that errors in basic information about individual stocks can undermine subsequent analysis, making data completeness and quality essential to the deployment of financial AI.
MDBS is adding its “Snowy Owl” strategy-building-block platform to its product lineup, connecting it with Owl AI and Lobster Villa.
A response to China and Russia’s Arctic plans? Trump administration’s key strategy revealed: upgrading Alaska’s power grid under the Defense Production Act.
The project will build about 223 miles (about 359 kilometers) of new transmission lines, creating a second high-voltage transmission corridor between south-central Alaska and the interior.
Up to $150 million of the project funding will come from the Defense Production Act, with the remaining $268 million provided by nonfederal funds.
Vance said the Alaska transmission project is expected to lower electricity costs and improve grid stability, benefiting about 75% of Alaska’s population.
Energy Secretary Wright said the project will support the ongoing expansion of the U.S. military, as well as mining and other resource development activities related to U.S. national security.
The White House announced in April this year that large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure would be considered industries vital to U.S. defense, including engineering, land acquisition and permitting.
The president’s 2026 Determination No. 10 designated transmission lines and conductors, substations, and power control and protection equipment as critical infrastructure needed for national defense.
Welcome, new apple flavors for fall! CoCo都可 launches two Golden Apple drinks on Oct. 12, pairing fruity notes with coffee and tea; buy one, get one free on selected coffee.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
CoCo都可 will launch its Fuji apple-themed Golden Apple drink series on Oct. 12, including the Golden Apple Americano and Golden Apple Oolong, alongside a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on selected coffees from Monday to Tuesday to expand its fall beverage offerings.
Facts
CoCo都可 will launch 2 new drinks on Oct. 12: the Golden Apple Americano and Golden Apple Oolong.
The Golden Apple Americano blends Fuji apple juice with freshly ground coffee.
The Golden Apple Oolong uses “21-year-old Light Oolong” as its tea base.
Buy one, get one free on selected coffee items every Monday and Tuesday.
The Golden Apple series is not available at some locations.
Where to stay near Taipei Dome: 10 hotels within walking distance, with the closest just 5 minutes away—convenient for concerts and games.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article rounds up 10 recommended hotels within walking distance of Taipei Dome, from 誠品行旅 and 瀚寓酒店 to 台北W飯店. It details each hotel’s walking time, facilities and contact information to help visitors plan trips to attend games or see their favorite stars.
Facts
誠品行旅 is a 5-minute walk from Taipei Dome. Located in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, it was founded by 誠品書店集團 and opened in 2015.
瀚寓酒店 is a 10-minute walk from Taipei Dome. Some room types come with amenities such as a kitchen, microwave and double-door refrigerator.
台北W飯店 underwent a full renovation in 2025 and features an outdoor heated WET Pool and WOOBAR.
台北寒舍艾美酒店 blends modern design with an artistic atmosphere and houses a collection of about 700 contemporary artworks.
台北艾麗酒店 is part of the 希爾頓格芮精選 collection, and some rooms offer direct views of Taipei 101 at night.
洛碁大飯店忠孝館 is near the Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station and offers airport transfers by reservation.
國聯大飯店 is a 5-minute walk from Taipei Dome and is near the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall MRT Station.
Companies mentioned：誠品行旅、誠品書店集團、瀚寓酒店、台北W飯店、W Hotels、台北寒舍艾美酒店、Le Méridien Taipei、台北艾麗希爾頓格芮精選酒店、希爾頓格芮精選、洛碁大飯店忠孝館、Green World ZhongXiao、國聯大飯店
Where did the Qing dynasty’s more than million troops go after its fall? One unit hid in Hong Kong, changing professions and remaining undiscovered for nearly a century.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
After the Qing dynasty fell, a special Qing military unit stationed in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City remained hidden for nearly 75 years and maintained the old system, exploiting a treaty loophole and the area’s “three-no” status. It was formally disbanded only when the walled city was cleared in 1987, marking the end of the Qing army’s history.
Facts
After the Xuantong Emperor abdicated in 1912, most of the “million-strong” army of the Qing dynasty, the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, was disbanded or absorbed into warlord factions.
In 1601, Nurhaci founded the Four Banners; in 1615, they were expanded into the “Eight Banners.” After Hong Taiji succeeded him, the system was developed to include the Manchu, Mongol and Han Eight Banners.
After the Qing entered China, it incorporated Ming troops and Han Chinese units into the “Green Standard Army,” which operated alongside the Eight Banners in a dual system.
The 1842 Treaty of Nanking ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, but the Qing government insisted on retaining jurisdiction and the right to station troops in Kowloon Walled City.
A special garrison stationed in a designated area of Hong Kong remained there for a long time because of a loophole in historical treaties, becoming the last Qing military unit in the world.
This Qing military unit remained hidden inside Kowloon Walled City for 75 years, until it was formally disbanded when the city was cleared in 1987.
If you get sick while traveling in mainland China, can you get reimbursed for medical care? The National Health Insurance Administration reveals “2 key conditions”: reimbursement is not based on how much you spend.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The National Health Insurance Administration says people who pay out of pocket for medical care in mainland China may apply for reimbursement if they meet the criteria for emergency illness or injury and apply within 6 months. Reimbursement is subject to the current quarterly limit and does not cover the full cost.
Facts
To apply for reimbursement of overseas out-of-pocket medical expenses, a person must be covered by National Health Insurance, and the illness or injury must be an unforeseen emergency or an emergency childbirth.
Applications must be submitted within 6 months of the date of outpatient or emergency treatment, or the date of discharge. Late applications will not be accepted.
Reimbursement of overseas medical expenses follows the principle of verified payment after review, with a strict reimbursement cap; expenses exceeding the limit are not covered.
Routine follow-up visits for chronic illnesses, scheduled surgeries and non-emergency medical care are generally not covered.
The National Health Insurance Administration reviews and announces updated caps every quarter, based on average costs at medical centers and regional hospitals in Taiwan.
Failed the probation period? Does the company owe no severance if it says, “Don’t come in tomorrow”? The Ministry of Labor says many people get this wrong.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Labor said probation periods are not an exception under the law. If a company terminates a contract under Article 11 of the Labor Standards Act because an employee is unsuitable for the job, it must pay severance as required by law, even if the employee has worked for less than 3 months and there is no fixed advance-notice period. No severance is due if the employee is dismissed for a serious violation under Article 12, and companies may not force employees to sign voluntary resignation forms.
Facts
Provisions on probation periods in the current Enforcement Rules of the Labor Standards Act were removed in 1997.
When an employer terminates the contract of an employee who has worked for 3 months or more but less than 1 year under Article 11, the employer must give 10 days’ advance notice.
For employees covered by the new labor pension system, severance pay is half a month’s average wage for each full 1 year of service.
Employees whose contracts are terminated under Article 12 of the Labor Standards Act may not claim wages for the notice period or severance pay.
An employer may terminate a contract without advance notice if an employee is absent without leave for 3 consecutive days without just cause, or for a total of 6 days within 1 month.
“Chip battle” could be harder to resolve than the pandemic. Fed warns chip shortages could send prices out of control.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
San Francisco Fed President Daly warned that AI demand is causing chip shortages that could fuel inflation. Companies have signed forward contracts to secure supplies, and the Fed is watching to see whether further rate hikes may be needed.
Facts
Mary Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, said on Oct. 6 Eastern Time that demand for artificial intelligence is emerging as a new threat to inflation.
Companies have begun seeking forward contracts for memory chips and working to redesign products to use fewer chips.
The Fed unanimously decided on Sept. 16 to raise its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, to a range of 3.75% to 4%.
Fed Governor Michael Barr said AI investment is driving up prices for chips and equipment, with increases spreading to other products and services.
Fed Governor Lisa Cook said data centers will compete with other economic activities for construction workers and energy.
Lo Chih-chiang definitively loses lawsuit against Ker Chien-ming! Seeking NT$1 million over claim he made “silent calls,” Lo loses at High Court, which says Ker had reasonable grounds.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
KMT legislator Lo Chih-chiang sued DPP legislator Ker Chien-ming for mistakenly accusing him of making silent calls during negotiations at the Legislative Yuan, seeking NT$1 million in damages. The High Court ruled that Ker’s remarks fell within the scope of his official duties and legislative immunity, dismissing the appeal and making the ruling final.
Facts
Lo Chih-chiang sued Ker Chien-ming for NT$1 million in damages after taking issue with Ker’s claim that he had made silent calls.
The High Court dismissed Lo Chih-chiang’s appeal on May 7, 2025, making the case final.
The High Court ruled that Ker Chien-ming’s remarks were intended to protect the right to speak in full and did not exceed the scope of a legislator’s official duties.
Ker Chien-ming’s remarks in a subsequent interview were deemed an ancillary act directly related to the exercise of his duties as a legislator.
The High Court said Ker Chien-ming had reasonable grounds to identify Lo Chih-chiang as the caller, based on his firsthand observations and the circumstances at the scene.
After-hours update: Taiwan stocks fluctuate before 50,000-point mark, fall 16 points! 台積電 holds at flat, 台達電 falls below NT$2,000, passive components rally strongly.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taiwan stocks fluctuated on the 7th before reaching the 50,000-point mark. The weighted index closed down 16.18 points at 49,806.37. Performance among large-cap stocks was mixed, as funds rotated among passive components, silicon photonics, PCBs, plastics and stocks with revenue-related catalysts.
TGo members can claim 2 monthly coupons for 88% of the fare on selected trains in standard-class reserved seating, directly through the members’ area.
For a one-way reserved-seat ticket from Nangang to Zuoying priced at NT$1,530, using an 88% fare coupon brings the price to just NT$1,346, saving NT$184 one way.
Starting Oct. 8, 2 additional all-non-reserved-seat trains will run each hour during the southbound super-peak period from 17:00 to 21:00 every Friday.
During the National Day travel period, 23 regularly scheduled trains will have expanded non-reserved seating, with some trains increasing the number of non-reserved cars to 9 to 11.
Chen Mao-chin and Hsu Ching-hsin head south to hear frontline workers’ views; 三商壽 union gives them a thumbs-up.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
New 三商美邦人壽 Chairman Chen Mao-chin and General Manager Hsu Ching-hsin traveled south to Kaohsiung to visit the company union, pledging to meet with the union over a meal every year to promote harmonious labor relations. They also announced that the company will be renamed 玉山人壽 in December.
Facts
New 三商美邦人壽 Chairman Chen Mao-chin and General Manager Hsu Ching-hsin traveled south to Kaohsiung on the 6th to visit the company union.
The chair of the 三商壽企業工會, Tseng Chun-neng, asked the chairman to meet with the union over a meal once a year.
Chairman Chen Mao-chin agreed to the request for an annual meal and discussion with the union.
三商壽 will be renamed 玉山人壽 this December.
The visit was intended to hear employees’ views and pay attention to the voices of 三商壽 frontline workers following the acquisition.
Reunion in San Francisco! Tsai Ing-wen meets Pelosi during US visit: “She has always been a steadfast friend of Taiwan.”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Former President Tsai Ing-wen met former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco during a visit to the United States. The two looked back on their past exchanges and reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy. Tsai gave Pelosi a Taiwan-designed scarf and chocolates to deepen their friendship, while Pelosi publicly praised Tsai as a defender of democracy and a dear friend of the United States.
Facts
Former President Tsai Ing-wen is visiting the United States and said on Facebook on the 7th that she had met former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco.
Tsai Ing-wen gave Pelosi a scarf from a Taiwanese brand and chocolates. The scarf was designed by C JEAN, and the chocolates came from Formosa Chocolates.
Pelosi said on Facebook that Tsai Ing-wen is a courageous defender of democracy and a dear friend of the United States, adding that support for Taiwan in the US Congress remains unwavering.
Tsai Ing-wen and Pelosi recalled Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan, when Tsai presented her with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon at the Presidential Office.
Formosa Chocolates was founded by Kimberly Yang, a second-generation Taiwanese American. Its products were included in US State Department gifts at APEC 2023.
Warns Shen Po-yang to watch out for these 3 KMT figures: Robert Tsao accuses the party of using “shameless bot” tactics; Chen Shih-chung and Lai Ching-te have both been victims.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
聯電 founder Robert Tsao warned DPP legislator Shen Po-yang that the KMT uses “shameless bot” tactics to attack opponents, saying they had contributed to Chen Shih-chung’s election defeat and damaged Lai Ching-te’s image. He urged Shen to respond wisely.
Facts
Robert Tsao urged Shen Po-yang to be wary of the KMT’s shameless bot tactics and named three KMT figures who had repeatedly prevailed in the past.
Shameless bot tactics include spreading rumors, smearing, distorting, defaming and taking things out of context to reverse right and wrong.
Lai Ching-te’s image was battered by shameless bot smears during the recall campaign.
Robert Tsao suggested using a numbering system to identify shameless bot members, depriving them of their firepower and motivation.
Poll: Has the Taichung mayoral race shifted? Ho Hsin-chun leads by double digits on “this indicator”; Chiang Chi-chen’s latest support rating revealed.
Zhujian and Qiandu lose out! “It” takes the crown among Taiwan’s top 10 hot pot chains, praised for consistent, fresh ingredients, good service and generous portions
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《網路溫度計DailyView》 analyzed online discussions to compile a list of Taiwan’s 10 most popular Japanese-style hot pot chains. 聚 日式鍋物 topped the list for online buzz, followed by 築間幸福鍋物 and 千葉火鍋 in second and third place.
Facts
聚 日式鍋物 topped the rankings for online buzz among Japanese-style hot pot chains.
聚 日式鍋物 launched its “Come Gather for Special Ingredients” promotion this autumn.
聚 日式鍋物’s signature Sapporo Bear Cheese Milk Soup is made with premium milk from Hokkaido.
聚 日式鍋物’s featured meat dish is the “Japanese Domestic Beef Marbled Duo,” made with beef from Aomori Prefecture.
Diners at 聚 日式鍋物 can add the “Hiroshima Direct-Delivered Oysters” to their meal for just NT$129.
Founded in Keelung, 築間幸福鍋物 is known for pairing Japanese-style broth with Taiwanese-style stone-pot aromatics.
The long-established all-you-can-eat brand 千葉火鍋 features individual hot pots.
和牛涮, part of 王品集團, offers an exceptional “three ways to enjoy Wagyu” experience.
Statistics show that since 2000, average quarterly returns for Taiwan stocks in the fourth quarter and the following first quarter have reached 4.7% and 4.6%, respectively.
Shen Chien-hung predicts that from 2026 onward, AI development will expand from model training to AI inference, AI agents, Edge AI and Physical AI.
If the US Federal Reserve raises rates by 1 quarter-point in September, as markets expect, the federal funds target range will rise to 3.75–4%.
Taiwan stock fund manager Shen Chien-hung said now is an excellent time to invest in small- and mid-cap stocks with strong growth potential.
Water service will be suspended in Kanglang Village, Qingshui District, Taichung City, for emergency repairs to a burst pipe at No. 2, Lane 100, Kanglang 1st Street.
A water outage is required for a new installation project to improve water quality for residents around Wu Feng University of Science and Technology on Jianguo 2nd Road, increase the water supply network’s coverage, and ensure a stable supply.