〈STARLUX launches direct flights to Prague〉Art-themed aircraft deployed on 3 signature routes helps boost passenger numbers, keeping the low season busy
Customer finds slug in drink; 八曜和茶 apologizes and suspends operations at affected branch starting immediately
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A customer found what appeared to be a live slug in a honey yogurt tea purchased from 八曜和茶. The brand apologized and temporarily suspended operations at the affected branch for disinfection. Taichung City health authorities have logged the case and launched an inspection.
5 injured in collision between 2 SUVs in Yilan; county government urges drivers to slow down at intersections without traffic signals
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Two SUVs collided at the intersection of Minquan Boulevard Section 2 and Yangming Road in Yilan County, injuring 5 people, including 3 schoolchildren. Neither driver had alcohol in their system, according to breath tests. As the intersection has no traffic signals and accidents occur frequently there, the county government urged road users to slow down and shared results from an experimental road safety improvement program for intersections without signals.
Cross-school group bullying incident reported in Taoyuan; all involved junior high and elementary schools have filed school safety reports
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A cross-school group bullying incident has been reported in Taoyuan, and all involved junior high and elementary schools have filed school safety reports. The Education Department said it would proceed under the bullying prevention guidelines and require schools to complete their investigations promptly. Parent groups and teachers' organizations called for proper reporting, stronger prevention and better interagency cooperation.
Hualien's senior citizen taxi program has complex procedures; councilor urges adopting bus-style system or building AI model to assist verification
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Hualien's senior citizen taxi program requires complicated registration procedures and drivers to retain records for 10 years, discouraging some from participating. A county councilor suggested adopting a system modeled on buses or setting up an AI model to automate verification, easing the administrative burden and improving convenience. The county government currently works mainly with 13 taxi fleets, with a total of 860 taxis participating in the subsidy program.
Facts
The senior citizen taxi program, which has been operating in Hualien for more than 2 years
Seniors aged 65 and over
Records must be kept for as long as 10 years
That would definitely take more than 2 and a half minutes
Woman randomly attacks people with stick at Taitung Station; Social Affairs Department says it will consider shelter plan for homeless people
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A woman randomly swung a stick at passersby late at night near Taitung Station. A taxi driver intervened and called police. Safety concerns have arisen over homeless people in the area around the station. Taitung County's Social Affairs Department said it would step up outreach visits and cooperation with police. While it cannot forcibly place homeless people who prefer to live freely in shelters, the department stressed that the police can be called if anyone engages in an attack.
Overseas travel outpatient treatment statistics: “Dialysis” has ranked first for years
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Kidney failure has long ranked first among claims for reimbursement of overseas travel outpatient treatment. In 2025, mainland China had the most reimbursed cases, followed by Japan and Thailand.
Truck crashes into U.S. soccer field, killing 2 and injuring 11; police await drug test and vehicle examination to determine cause
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A truck crashed into a soccer field at a sports complex in Wichita, Kansas, killing 2 people and injuring 11. Police arrested the 34-year-old female driver and are awaiting drug test and vehicle examination results to determine the cause.
Facts
A boy just 6 years old
A 35-year-old man
Another 11 people suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious
People occupy Wenxin Park restroom for days; Taichung Social Affairs Bureau sends staff to check on them
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A man in his 40s occupied an accessible restroom at Taichung's Wenxin Forest Park and lived there for days, prompting concern from the public. After receiving a report, the Taichung City Social Affairs Bureau sent staff to check on him and confirmed he was not registered as a homeless person. It will continue outreach and patrols.
Influenced by French student protests and soaring living costs, people take to the streets in demonstrations across Europe
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Influenced by French student protests and soaring living costs, demonstrations and clashes broke out in several countries, including Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Albania. Police arrested more than 200 people in Milan and elsewhere in Italy. Belgian unions warned they would launch a general strike on November 23. Lisbon residents protested the housing crisis, while students in Albania demonstrated over corruption and education issues, with nearly 400 people charged.
Legislature passes partial exemption of elderly people from NHI premiums on third reading; Cabinet secretary-general urges caution
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
The Legislative Yuan passed a bill on the partial exemption of elderly people from National Health Insurance premiums on third reading. 時代力量 chair Wang Wan-yu opposed the amendment and urged the ruling party to take concrete action. 行政院 Secretary-General Chang Tun-han urged parties across the aisle to think carefully, stressing that the government adheres to the principles of not increasing borrowing, not crowding out other policies, and acting lawfully and constitutionally.
Man taught in southern Taiwan for nearly 7 years with fake diploma; sentenced to 2 years for forging official documents and other offenses
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A man surnamed Chiang from Pingtung taught in southern Taiwan for nearly 7 years using a forged diploma and was involved with 4 schools. After a trial, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for forging official documents and other offenses, with the option of a fine of NT$720,000 in lieu of imprisonment.
Chiang Wan-an attends opening of public childcare center; Shen Po-yang questions whether move is to make amends with early childhood education sector ahead of election
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the opening ceremony of a public childcare center and inspected the “public childcare in every school” policy. Democratic Progressive Party candidate Shen Po-yang questioned whether Chiang’s failure to attend principals’ meetings over the past 4 years was an attempt to make amends with the early childhood education sector ahead of the election. The two traded barbs over teacher stress, civil servant turnover and the relocation of Songshan Airport.
立院 reviews NCC commissioner nominees; Yuan Hsiu-hui and Hsiao Ping nominated as chair and deputy chair
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
立法院 reviewed the NCC commissioner nominees for the first time on the 19th, with lawyer Yuan Hsiu-hui and communications scholar Hsiao Ping nominated as chair and deputy chair. The Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party camps stressed the need for strict scrutiny and questioned Yuan’s partisan background and political neutrality; DPP lawmakers focused on whether she was seeking 民眾黨 support. After nominees were rejected twice before, 立院 scheduled 3 days of joint committee meetings as the political wrangling continued.
Civic groups urge 立院 to swiftly pass amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act; seek ban on e-cigarette possession to stamp out zombie vape pods
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Civic groups urged 立法院 to swiftly complete the third reading of amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, bringing e-cigarette possession under regulation and subjecting it to fines to prevent risks to young people. Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chung-liang said implementation measures had been discussed and a budget allocated, but stressed that a legal basis was needed first.
Facts
40,000 e-cigarette-using youths nationwide
E-cigarette collection bins set up at 432 locations nationwide
A total of 633 kilograms of e-cigarettes collected
中油 and 台電 losses continue to mount; opposition proposes amendments to add “loss relief clause”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
With losses at 中油 and 台電 continuing to mount amid the Middle East war, opposition caucuses proposed amendments to the Energy Management Act that would add a “loss relief clause” exempting the businesses from contributions to the Energy Research and Development Fund and easing cash-flow pressures. 經濟部 said their financial situation would be improved through budget allocations.
Facts
中油 had absorbed a cumulative 674 billion yuan in oil and gas costs as of September this year (2026)
Cumulative losses of NT$91 billion
Debt ratio exceeds 94%
Natural gas fuel costs rise by 70 billion yuan
Accumulated losses reached NT$371.2 billion
Public hearing to discuss the issue on the 19th
The Energy Fund amounts to only 4.6 billion a year
Compared with 台電’s current losses of 377 billion
It would take 80 years to make up the shortfall
Energy businesses must pay no more than 5 per thousand of their annual revenue
Motorist throws trash and hits sanitation worker; 台南環保局 urges public not to risk chasing garbage trucks
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A resident in Tainan chased a garbage truck on a scooter and threw trash, accidentally hitting a sanitation worker. 台南環保局 urged residents to dispose of garbage at the announced times and locations and not to risk chasing trucks, to avoid danger.
The “Ministerial Preparatory Meeting for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Pre-COP31)” was held
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
Pre-COP31 was held in Nadi, Fiji, from October 7 to 8, 2026, with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the Environment Taku Ishii and others in attendance. Approximately 60 countries participated, including ministers from Turkey, which is slated to chair COP31, and Australia. Discussions covered maintaining the 1.5-degree target, mitigation, and adaptation.
Call for public comments on changes to the area and park plan of Ise-Shima National Park [7th review]
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
The Ministry of the Environment is inviting public comments from October 19 to November 17, Reiwa 8, on changes to the area and park plan of Ise-Shima National Park (7th review).
Call for public comments on partial changes to the area and park plan of Sanriku Fukko National Park (Minamisanriku-Kinkasan area)
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
The Ministry of the Environment is inviting public comments from October 19 to November 17, Reiwa 8, on proposed partial changes to the area and park plan of Sanriku Fukko National Park (Minamisanriku-Kinkasan area).
November Reiwa 8 Meeting of the Subcommittee on the Assessment of Asbestos-Related Health Damage
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
The schedule and agenda for the November Reiwa 8 meeting of the Subcommittee on the Assessment of Asbestos-Related Health Damage, Environmental Health Committee, Central Environment Council.
Selection for the Reiwa 8 Project to Build and Demonstrate Cost-Competitive Supply Chain Models for Hydrogen Derived from Renewable Energy and Other Sources (Second Call for Proposals)
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
In the second call for proposals for the Reiwa 8 hydrogen supply chain model development and demonstration project, 3 projects were selected: interregional collaboration, expansion of regional demand, and coordination of supply and demand at hubs.
Call for Participants in “Connecting Nature Coexistence Sites 2026: Nature Positive, Fostered by Companies and Communities”
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
The Ministry of the Environment is inviting participants to “Connecting Nature Coexistence Sites 2026,” an online event aimed at continuing activities at nature coexistence sites and improving their quality. The event will be held on November 24, Reiwa 8, and will provide opportunities for companies, local governments and others to collaborate.
Selection for the “Offshore Injection CCS Technology Development Project”
Published ・ Source Japan | 環境省
The Ministry of the Environment selected 1 proposal concerning the development of technology and a business foundation to realize an integrated demonstration of floating offshore CCS injection.
金元醸造 is offering exchanges or refunds for「ごろごろにんにく、青とうがらしみそ」sold at AKOMEYA in the Kanto region because an incorrectly affixed back label omitted the allergen “sesame.”
UOGroup’s「白す（生食用）」was sold at イトーヨーカ堂大和鶴間店, and refunds and recalls will be carried out from October 15, 2026, because juvenile pufferfish were found in the product.
A recall order was issued for 井戸商店’s「贅沢いかきしめん」from October 5, 2026, for violating ingredient standards and Article 13, Paragraph 2 of the Food Sanitation Act.
November 17 is World Cord Blood Day, an international awareness campaign to deepen understanding of cord blood and public cord blood banks. Hematopoietic stem cells in cord blood are used to treat blood disorders.
Meeting of the 305th Subcommittee on Medical Care for Atomic Bomb Survivors
Published ・ Source Japan | 厚生労働省
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will hold the 305th Subcommittee on Medical Care for Atomic Bomb Survivors on October 26, Reiwa 8. The agenda is the review of applications for recognition of atomic bomb disease (closed to the public).
9th Labor Policy Council (Labor Conditions Subcommittee, “Subcommittee on Adjustments to Labor Relations Accompanying Organizational Restructuring”) (Meeting Notice)
Published ・ Source Japan | 厚生労働省
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will hold the 9th meeting of the Labor Conditions Subcommittee’s “Subcommittee on Adjustments to Labor Relations Accompanying Organizational Restructuring” on October 26, Reiwa 8. The agenda is the results of a questionnaire survey of companies and labor unions. Applications are being accepted from those wishing to observe.
Notice Regarding the “Guidelines for Maintaining and Promoting Workers’ Health at Workplaces”
Published ・ Source Japan | 厚生労働省
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued guidelines for maintaining and promoting workers’ health at workplaces on October 19, Reiwa 8, under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The revision specifies the role of secondary prevention for cancer and health issues specific to women, among other matters, and coordination with health insurers and others.
Facts
Notice No. 13 on Guidelines for Maintaining and Promoting Health
The 93rd Labor Policy Council Subcommittee on Employment Environment and Equal Opportunity (Paperless Meeting) to Be Held (Meeting Notice)
Published ・ Source Japan | 厚生労働省
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will hold the 93rd meeting of the Employment Environment and Equal Opportunity Subcommittee of the Labor Policy Council on Reiwa 8, Oct. 26. The agenda is “Support for balancing work and childcare,” and the meeting will be paperless.
Discussing the future of systems and taxation related to international shipping — Holding the “2nd Expert Study Group on Reviewing Systems and Taxation Related to International Shipping”
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
国土交通省 will hold the “2nd Expert Study Group” on reviewing systems and taxation for international shipping on Reiwa 8, Oct. 21.
キャタピラージャパン合同会社 has filed a recall with 国土交通省 due to the risk of damage caused by insufficient clearance between the cooling fan and fan guard on the engine of its shovel loaders. The recall covers 549 units of models “902” and “903.” The corrective measure is to add spacers to the fan guard mounts.
Facts
Number of defects: 16
Recall notice number: 5892
327 units
11 units
206 units
5 units
(4 models total) (2 vehicle types total) 549 units
Holding the 1st “Highway Business and Other Accounting Rules Study Group” — Organizing accounting in light of the new lease accounting standards
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
The Road Bureau of 国土交通省 will hold the 1st meeting of the “Highway Business and Other Accounting Rules Study Group” on Reiwa 8, Oct. 21, to organize accounting for highway businesses in light of the new lease accounting standards.
The Machimichi Study on-site workshop will be held in Ishinomaki! — Experience town development that makes walking the preferred choice through public-private collaboration!
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
国土交通省 will hold the “Machimichi Study on-site workshop” in 石巻市, 宮城県, on Reiwa 8, Nov. 19. Participants will visit leading examples of walkable town development through public-private collaboration and exchange views.
Recipients of the Reiwa 8 Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award for Contributions to Urban Greening selected — Award ceremony to be held at the national convention on Oct. 30
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
国土交通省 announced that it has selected the recipients of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award for Contributions to Urban Greening (13 individuals and 1 organization), and will hold an award ceremony at the national convention on Reiwa 8, Oct. 30.
Facts
13 individuals
1 organization
GREEN×EXPO 2027
Companies mentioned：一般社団法人日本公園緑地協会、D a i g a s ガ ス ア ン ド パ ワ ー、ソリ ュ ーシ ョン 株 式会 社 泉北 製 造所、東京都市大学、(独)都市再生機構、(公社)２０２７年国際園芸博覧会協会、(一財)沖縄美ら島財団、(一社)建設広報協会、(一財)公園財団、(公財)国際花と緑の博覧会記念協会、(公財)都市計画協会、(公財)都市緑化機構、(一社)日本植木協会、(一社)日本運動施設建設業協会、(一社)日本屋外広告業団体連合会、(公社)日本家庭園芸普及協会、(一社)日本公園施設業協会、(一社)日本造園組合連合会、(一社)日本造園建設業協会、(一財)日本造園修景協会、(公財)日本花の会、(一財)日本緑化センター、(一社)ランドスケープコンサルタンツ協会、全国公園協会協議会、全国都市公園整備促進協議会、(一社)日本水景協会、(一社)公園管理運営士会、(公財)古都飛鳥保存財団、(一社)全国１級造園施工管理技士の会、(公財）東京都公園協会、（公社）日本植物園協会、(公社)日本造園学会、日比谷公園ガーデニングショー実行委員会
Applications open for the 2026 “Construction Future Award Created with Foreign Talent”! — Recognizing outstanding initiatives by companies and organizations working with foreign nationals in the construction industry
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
国土交通省 has opened applications for the 2026 “Construction Future Award Created with Foreign Talent,” which recognizes outstanding initiatives to utilize foreign talent and promote coexistence and collaboration in the construction industry. A new “Collaborative Creation” category has been established this year, and the application deadline is Nov. 30, 2026.
Your ideas can change the future of mobility! Applications open for participants in an ideathon on using barrier-free data and more — Toward a society where everyone can travel with peace of mind
Published ・ Source Japan | 国土交通省
国土交通省 is recruiting participants for the “Pedestrian Space DX Ideathon,” aimed at generating ideas for digital services to support people with mobility difficulties. It will be held in Tokyo’s 23 wards on Reiwa 8, Nov. 20, with a capacity of approximately 20–30 participants.
Publication of the final report by BIS決済・市場インフラ委員会 and 証券監督者国際機構: “Managing Business Risk and Business Losses by Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs): Additional Guidance on the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (FMI Principles)”
Published ・ Source Japan | 日本銀行
BIS決済・市場インフラ委員会 (CPMI) and 証券監督者国際機構 (IOSCO) published a final report on Oct. 14, 2026, containing additional guidance on the management of business risk and business losses by financial market infrastructures (FMIs).
Companies mentioned：行政院政務副秘書長、國科會、數位發展部、國營臺灣鐵路股份有限公司、實踐大學、台灣默克集團、友達永續基金會、瑞健醫療、上銀科技股份有限公司、國家實驗研究院台灣海洋科技研究中心、國家地震工程研究中心、國家太空中心、世界先進積體電路股份有限公司、Tokyo Electron Taiwan、財團法人育秀教育基金會、上銀科技、TEL台灣
Cheng Chao-hsin’s wife shares the same name as 廢死聯盟 Executive Director Lin Hsin-yi, but they are not the same person
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 台灣事實查核中心
An online claim said 廢死聯盟 Executive Director Lin Hsin-yi was married to Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin. A fact-check confirmed that although they share the same name, they are not the same person; the claim is false.