Latest on the nationwide NT$10,000 handout! “Finance Ministry says the money could arrive as soon as this date”; ATM and post office cash pickup dates revealed; 7 regions offer up to NT$10,000 more
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Executive Yuan has budgeted NT$235.7 billion for a NT$10,000 cash handout, which could be distributed before Lunar New Year in 2027 at the earliest. The Ministry of Finance said there are insufficient funds to increase the amount to NT$20,000, with resources covering only 6%-13% of the demand. Opposition party proposals are still awaiting review.
Facts
The Executive Yuan has budgeted NT$235.7 billion in the 116 central government general budget proposal for a cash payment of NT$10,000 per person.
The Ministry of Finance estimates that national tax revenue in 2026 will exceed the original budget estimate by NT$110 billion to NT$160 billion, but the net increase in funds accruing to the central government will be only about NT$30 billion to NT$60 billion.
A universal cash payment of NT$20,000 would be covered by only about 6% to 13% of the central government’s additional revenue, creating a considerable fiscal burden.
The NT$10,000 handout could begin as early as before Lunar New Year in 2027. The deadline for the general public to claim it is expected to be Aug. 31, 2027.
Two weeks until election day: Chang Chia-chun urges judicial neutrality and no election interference; supporters mobilize voters to guard against dirty tricks
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
With two weeks left until the election, Yunlin County magistrate candidate Chang Chia-chun publicly called on judicial and investigative agencies to strictly maintain neutrality and avoid interfering in the election or becoming political enforcers. She also stressed that the past scandal in which an investigator allegedly instructed someone to commit perjury must not happen again. She said the best way to guard against election dirty tricks is for supporters to turn out in force, making illegal tactics ineffective through high voter turnout, and listed the 10 dirty tricks identified by the KMT caucus as a warning to voters.
Facts
With two weeks remaining before the election, Yunlin County magistrate candidate Chang Chia-chun urged judicial agencies to strictly maintain neutrality and not interfere in the election.
Chang Chia-chun mentioned that former investigator Chen Wen-wei was suspected of instructing someone to commit perjury to frame Chang Li-shan and had been dismissed.
The KMT caucus in the Legislative Yuan published a list of 10 common election dirty tricks, including manipulating images and creating sudden controversies.
Chang Chia-chun said the best way for supporters to guard against election dirty tricks is to mobilize voters and turn out in force.
Under Article 104 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, anyone who spreads rumors with the intent of preventing a candidate from being elected may face up to 5 years in prison.
Today’s (11/14) top news! Government gives out “consumer vouchers worth up to NT$1,000” / No more health insurance premiums! Good news for seniors in 16 counties and cities / This is the top private university
The government is distributing consumer vouchers worth up to NT$1,000, limited to 4,000, through Nov. 30.
Some counties and cities offer health insurance premium subsidies for seniors aged 65 and older, covering up to NT$826 per person per month and saving as much as NT$9,912 a year.
In the QS Asian University Rankings, a private university in Taoyuan ranked first among private universities outside the medical field. Its student population grew 8% over 4 years despite the overall trend, and its graduates’ average annual salary of NT$622,000 was the highest among private universities.
A front passed across Taiwan on Nov. 14, bringing a change in the weather in the afternoon. A second wave of northeasterly monsoon winds is expected to arrive next Wednesday, with lowland temperatures potentially falling to 12 degrees.
Paraguay digital bank collapse scandal widens! Former president Peña accused of criminal conspiracy, faces up to 15 years in prison
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Paraguayan prosecutors confirmed they have located overseas assets belonging to failed digital bank Ueno Bank and plan to add a criminal conspiracy charge against former president Peña. Peña is accused of abusing his power to benefit the bank and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Facts
Paraguayan prosecutors have located overseas assets linked to failed digital bank Ueno Bank.
Prosecutors are seeking to add a “criminal conspiracy” charge against the impeached former president Peña over the bank’s collapse crisis.
Ueno Bank was taken over by the government on Nov. 3 amid serious solvency concerns.
The Central Bank of Paraguay said 1.8 million depositors have recovered their funds.
Peña is accused of using his influence as president to direct millions of dollars in government deposits to Ueno Bank.
Prosecutors have asked the United States, Luxembourg and Argentina to help track down the missing funds.
Peña is believed to have led a group that controlled 5 central bank officials.
Jensen Huang resignation storm widens! Friend Liang Jianhou’s company also comes under scrutiny as 美超微 rushes to issue a statement distancing itself
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
美超微 issued a statement denying any connection to Singapore-based Megaspeed, which is implicated in the case, and rebutting accusations that it has been uncooperative with the investigation. It said it is fully cooperating with the cross-border probe to stabilize market confidence.
Facts
美超微 said in a statement that Megaspeed has never been its customer.
50 stores in 5 years, targeting revenue of NT$2 billion! 雄獅欣食旅 aims for a 2032 IPO as new brand GIMME enters Xinyi District
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
欣食旅, part of the 雄獅集團, has launched new brand GIMME in Xinyi District, with plans to open 50 stores in 5 years, surpass NT$2 billion in revenue and pursue a 2032 IPO.
Facts
欣食旅, the 雄獅集團’s food and beverage business, has launched new brand “GIMME” at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A8 in Taipei’s Xinyi shopping district.
欣食旅 has set a target of reaching 50 stores across all its brands within 5 years, with revenue targeted at NT$2 billion.
欣食旅 plans to work toward an IPO in 2032.
GIMME is positioned as a “Healthy Light Bistro,” with an average spend per customer of about NT$600 to NT$700.
欣食旅 currently operates 12 stores across gonnaEAT, gonnaEXPRESS, gonnaPLUS, 光一咖啡廳 and GIMME.
APEC set to open in Shenzhen! Trump-Xi talks will not address Jensen Huang controversy; Elon Musk to accompany Trump on China visit
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Trump is set to travel to Shenzhen for APEC and meet with Xi Jinping, with Elon Musk accompanying him. The White House confirmed that a trilateral summit involving the United States, China and Russia will take place, and stressed that the Jensen Huang controversy will not affect the trip. Talks will focus on implementing existing trade agreements, not export controls.
Facts
U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 18 and 19 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.
The White House confirmed that Elon Musk will accompany Trump on his visit to China.
Trump is not expected to raise on his own the allegations of Chinese intelligence activity involving Jensen Huang during his meeting with Xi Jinping.
The United States said it will not use export controls as a bargaining chip in negotiations with China.
Jensen Huang has resigned as CEO of 輝達 amid concerns involving an affair with Huang Le and intelligence activities.
The White House plans to hold a trilateral leaders’ summit with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Shenzhen.
The main economic focus of the Trump-Xi meeting will be implementing existing trade agreements between the two sides.
A 全聯 convenience store purchase and a gas fill-up both won NT$10 million! Check the locations for the 17 winning NT$10 million receipts, as the 財政部 releases details
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 財政部 announced the winning results for the July-August 2026 uniform invoice lottery, with 17 NT$10 million prizes going to customers of retailers including 全聯, 7-ELEVEN, 全家, 中油 and Uber. Winners have until Jan. 5, 2027, to claim their prizes. The ministry encouraged people to set up automatic transfers through cloud invoice carriers to simplify the process.
Facts
A total of 17 NT$10 million special prizes were drawn in the July-August 2026 uniform invoice lottery.
The deadline to claim prizes in this uniform invoice lottery is Jan. 5, 2027.
A customer won the NT$10 million jackpot after spending NT$548 at 全聯福利中心.
A customer won a prize after spending just NT$90 on gas at 中油.
A customer unexpectedly won NT$10 million after incurring a NT$10 processing fee through Uber.
A total of 107 people won prizes across the 4 top prize categories, with the prize money totaling NT$2億2,020萬元.
December rate hike now a certainty! Ruan Muhua pinpoints key factors for stocks and bonds: “Two major indicators” will determine the U.S. stock market’s next move—not just how many rate hikes
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A scandal over 輝達 founder Jensen Huang’s affair has widened, while the U.S. October CPI came in above expectations, sending Treasury yields soaring and pushing market expectations of a December rate hike to 100%. Financial expert Ruan Muhua said the key to the U.S. stock market’s next move is not how many rate hikes there will be, but the policy path shown in the Federal Reserve’s dot plot and inflation expectations.
Facts
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% month over month in October, above market expectations.
Stocks and bonds seesawed this week, with the 2-year Treasury yield jumping 35.2 basis points for the week, its biggest increase in 2 years.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said the Fed should consider raising rates by two notches in December if inflation runs hot.
Markets currently put the probability of a two-notch rate hike in December at about 10% to 13%.
When the Fed’s two-notch rate hike in May 2022 came as expected, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones recorded their biggest single-day gains since 2000.
The 10-year Treasury yield topped 5.143%, while the 30-year yield reached 5.472%.
A review of 7 December rate hikes since 1994 found stocks closed lower on 4 decision days and 4 times a week later.
TV dramas fooled you for a lifetime! Portrait of Bao Qingtian revealed: his real appearance was “fair and refined”—a handsome scholar by any measure
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Drawing on an old portrait from the Palace Museum collection and historical records, this article reveals that the historical Bao Zheng had a fair, refined appearance, quite unlike the dark-faced figure in dramas. His dark face and crescent-shaped forehead mark originated respectively in Ming-dynasty novels and the evolution of opera makeup in the late Qing dynasty. Many classic cases, including the “Execution of Chen Shimei,” were also fictional, helping clarify misconceptions about Bao Qingtian.
Facts
The old portrait of Bao Zheng from the Palace Museum’s Nanxun Hall collection shows him with a fair, amiable face.
Bao Zheng was born in 999, passed the imperial examination at age 29 and served as a civil official throughout his life.
The dark-faced image gradually took shape around the Ming dynasty, originating in Bao Longtu Gong'an Cihua.
The white crescent on Bao Gong’s forehead did not take its familiar form until the late Qing dynasty.
Chen Shimei in “The Execution of Chen Shimei” is fictional; one theory holds that the character was based on an official from the Qing dynasty.
Emperor Renzong of Song did not learn until 1033 that Li Chenfei was his birth mother; Bao Zheng was then at home in his native town, caring for his parents.
Bao Zheng once served as prefect of Kaifeng for about a year.
Where can you find a restroom when stomach trouble strikes on the road? Don’t just head to a metro station! Locals share these 5 spots: clean, convenient and easy to find
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article rounds up places to use a restroom when stomach trouble strikes while you’re out, including metro stations, department stores, gas stations, convenience stores and public facilities, and outlines the advantages, drawbacks and details of using each.
Facts
At a 台北捷運 station, if you do not need to take a train, you can ask the information counter for a free temporary entry ticket to use the restroom in the paid area.
Department stores and shopping malls typically have bright, spacious restrooms; some are equipped with bidet toilets and sensor-operated faucets.
Large chain retailers such as 寶雅 and 全聯 are more likely to have customer restrooms if they have spacious premises or a parking lot.
Most gas stations have restrooms and are a common emergency stop for drivers and motorcyclists.
Public facilities such as libraries, district offices and cultural centers also have restrooms available during opening hours.
New traffic rules officially take effect! “1 motorcycle violation” will no longer be penalized: a guide to the latest rules across Taiwan
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Taichung City Government will allow large motorcycles to park in public roadside motorcycle spaces across the city starting Nov. 1, 2026. Rules vary by county and city, and violations may be penalized.
Facts
The Taichung City Government announced that, starting Nov. 1, 2026, large motorcycles will be allowed to park in all public roadside motorcycle spaces and motorcycle/scooter parking areas across the city.
Illegal parking by large motorcycles is punishable by a fine of NT$600 to NT$1,200.
Starting Oct. 6, 2026, Taipei City will open about 63,000 publicly owned, metered roadside motorcycle parking spaces across the city to large motorcycles.
Starting July 1, 2026, New Taipei City will open all roadside metered motorcycle parking spaces across the city to large motorcycles.
Starting Aug. 1, 2026, Kaohsiung City will launch a pilot program allowing large motorcycles to park in regular motorcycle spaces at 5 publicly owned parking lots near MRT stations.
Starting April 1, 2026, Taoyuan City will launch a pilot program allowing large motorcycles to park in roadside motorcycle spaces. The program will cover publicly owned roadside motorcycle spaces across the city, both metered and free.
No need to rely on your husband! Women born under 3 zodiac signs grow wealthier in their later years, with many benefactors and built-in good fortune—many are secretly rich
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article cites a report by 《搜狐》, saying that women born in the Years of the Ox, Rabbit and Pig may enjoy prosperity and good fortune in their later years thanks to traits such as frugality, diplomacy and an open-minded nature. It also lists relevant birth years for reference.
Facts
According to a report by 《搜狐》, some believe women born in the Years of the Ox, Rabbit and Pig—3 signs—are naturally gifted at bringing good fortune to themselves and their families, and often enjoy an easy and prosperous life in their later years.
Taiwan stocks in for a jolt next week? Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunges 3.4%, 輝達 falls again; expert flags major event Tuesday: no Huang Jen-hsun to ride to the rescue
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taiwan stocks rebounded nearly 4,000 points this week with support from the National Stabilization Fund and the Financial Supervisory Commission's short-selling restrictions, ending 4 straight losing sessions. Foreign investors also ended 11 straight days of net selling. The U.S. Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 3.4%, while 輝達 shares continued to fall amid an alleged extramarital affair involving Huang Jen-hsun. The market is watching next Tuesday's earnings report.
Facts
Over 5 trading days this week, Taiwan's weighted index rose a total of 3,973.48 points, a gain of about 10%.
Foreign investors ended 11 straight days of net selling, and Taiwan stocks surged 10% for the week, posting their biggest-ever weekly point gain.
Government announces cash giveaway! ‘Shopping vouchers worth up to NT$1,000’ available nationwide through 11/30—how to apply and eligibility details
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
新竹縣政府 has launched an expanded domestic tourism subsidy program. Taiwanese nationals who stay at designated partner accommodations and use the central government's weekday lodging subsidy can receive NT$500 in Zhuyou vouchers per room per night. Those staying 2 consecutive nights can receive up to NT$1,000. The offer is limited to 4,000 sets and is valid through Dec. 20, 2026.
Facts
新竹縣政府 has launched the ‘Hsinchu County Top-Up to Domestic Travel Subsidy: NT$500 for Lodging’ campaign, offering a limited 4,000 sets of Zhuyou vouchers.
Taiwanese nationals eligible for the central government's weekday lodging subsidy can receive Zhuyou vouchers worth NT$500 per room per night after staying at a designated partner accommodation and applying the subsidy.
Those who stay 2 consecutive nights and meet the central government's requirements for the consecutive-night lodging subsidy can receive an additional NT$500 Zhuyou voucher, for a maximum of NT$1,000.
Zhuyou vouchers are valid through Dec. 20, 2026, and will be void after that date.
Bookings made through online travel agency platforms are not eligible for this Zhuyou voucher campaign.
Zhuyou vouchers can only be used for purchases and cannot be exchanged for cash, stored as credit or resold. They also cannot be used to offset lodging costs.
A total of 25 partner accommodations have been announced so far, including hotels, motels and guesthouses.
Taiwan still has 3 wooden railway stations! Built with cypress nearly a century ago, tickets to ‘Zhuifen Chenggong’ are snapped up by exam candidates
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article introduces 3 surviving wooden railway stations from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan: Hsiangshan in Hsinchu, Zhuifen in Taichung and Zhutian in Pingtung. The stations preserve their historic character while also incorporating tourism and the revitalization of cultural assets, as seen in Zhuifen Station's auspicious tickets and the transformation of Zhutian Station Garden.
Facts
Hsiangshan Station in Hsinchu was built in 1928 and is a designated municipal historic site. Its roof is in the Japanese irimoya style.
Taichung's Zhuifen Station is the largest of the 5 wooden stations on Taiwan Railways' coastal line. It was built in 1922.
In 2020, Zhuifen Station received a Ministry of Culture grant for repairs due to roof leaks and termite damage.
Never use baking soda to clean your washing machine! Tan Tun-tzu uses 2 cheap household products to flush out a tubful of seaweed-like grime, with mold and dirt floating up on their own
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Expert Tan Tun-tzu advises people not to use baking soda to clean washing machines because it can clump and clog the machine and has no disinfecting power. She recommends bleach for disinfection or soaking with sodium percarbonate to effectively remove seaweed-like black grime.
Facts
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has very low solubility in room-temperature water. Undissolved powder can easily settle on the washing machine's base, central shaft and drain opening. Over time, it can harden and become stuck, potentially causing drainage problems or damaging parts.
Baking soda particles that settle in gaps in the inner tub can instead act like glue, trapping oils washed out of clothes, detergent residue and lint fibers, which build up into a thick, sticky layer of grime on the tub's inner wall.
Household bleach has excellent disinfecting properties and can penetrate and break down mold and slimy biofilm attached to the inner wall of the washing machine tub, making it suitable for regular deep-cleaning maintenance.
Sodium percarbonate, commonly known as oxygen bleach powder, releases abundant active-oxygen bubbles when dissolved in warm water. It can effectively remove years-old black grime, commonly called seaweed-like grime, without leaving powder residue.
When cleaning with sodium percarbonate, routine maintenance generally requires letting it sit for 1 to 3 hours. If the washing machine has not had a deep clean in years, it is recommended to extend the soak to half a day (about 4 to 6 hours).
Could Shen Po-yang shake up Lee Chuan's election prospects? Latest ‘New Taipei tidal wave poll’ released; Lin Cho-shui exclaims: a gap of 15 percentage points
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《鋒燦傳媒》 released a poll for the 2026 local elections for New Taipei mayor, showing Su Chiao-hui leading Lee Chuan by 8.4 percentage points. The survey found that 7.5% of voters changed their voting intentions under the influence of Shen Po-yang's ‘tidal wave’ effect. Scholars say the phenomenon reflects a divide between the values of a new generation and traditional politics.
Facts
The latest poll released by 《鋒燦傳媒》 shows Su Chiao-hui with 44% support and Lee Chuan with 35.6%.
A total of 7.5% of voters said they changed their preferred candidate because of the ‘tidal wave’ effect sparked by Shen Po-yang.
Former legislator Lin Cho-shui said that if 7.5% of voters switched from the pan-blue camp to the pan-green camp, it would be enough to close a 15% gap.
Among respondents who said they would ‘definitely vote,’ Su Chiao-hui's support rose to 47.7%, compared with 36.7% for Lee Chuan.
The survey obtained 2,033 valid responses, including 1,005 landline interviews and 1,028 online responses.
Citing its poor polling and disputes over candidate coordination, the Taiwan People's Party announced it was withdrawing from its original cooperation agreement for the Zhubei mayoral race and insisted on nominating Chiu Chen-yuan. The article criticizes the party for failing to explain its coordination criteria transparently and questions whether it truly practices its stated ideal of transcending the blue-green divide.
Facts
Public polls released in September by Formosa and Storm Media showed that Chiu Chen-yuan, the Taiwan People's Party's nominee, trailed Kuomintang candidate Wu Hsu-chih and Democratic Progressive Party candidate Tseng Sheng-kai.
After candidate coordination fell through, the Taiwan People's Party announced that it was no longer bound by the original cooperation agreement in the Hsinchu County election.
The Taiwan People's Party cited the breakdown of good faith, commitments and mutual trust as its reasons for withdrawing from the agreement.
Wu Hsu-chih has served the local community for 8 years, with a longstanding focus on education, transportation, social welfare and urban development.
The article asks whether a political party puts citizens or the party first when its own nomination diverges from public expectations.
Officer hit by suspected drug-impaired driver while commuting to work, taken to hospital; driver referred for prosecution, fined NT$240,000 and license revoked | 公視新聞 PNN
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
A 25-year-old officer surnamed Lin from 彰化員林警分局 was hit by a man surnamed Huang who was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs while the officer was on his way to work. The officer suffered a head injury and was rushed to hospital for treatment. A saliva test showed the driver was positive for the Schedule I drug etomidate. He was referred for investigation, fined NT$240,000 and had his driver's license revoked.
Diwali fireworks blanket New Delhi in smog; air pollution reaches ‘purple alert’ level | 公視新聞 PNN
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Air pollution in India's capital, New Delhi, reached ‘purple alert’ levels after Diwali, due to fireworks, vehicle exhaust and stubble burning. The air quality index reached 296. Although the Supreme Court allowed green firecrackers to reduce pollution, their effectiveness remains in doubt.
Does catching up on sleep over the weekend help? Data from 90,000 people debunks the myth: sleeping the right ‘golden hours’ is best for your heart - Heho健康
Published ・ Source Taiwan | Heho健康
Medical research confirms that catching up on sleep over the weekend can help protect the heart and slow aging, but the key is to sleep no more than 2 hours extra and not sleep until noon.