Read News 2020.05.01: Global Focus Topics and Events
May 1, 2020 (ROC Year 109) — a daily roundup of trending global news topics, tracing the currents of society through the flow of one news event after another.
Category
News & Opinion
The News & Opinion channel offers timely, in-depth analysis on global affairs, society and politics, helping readers see the full picture and think independently amid information overload.
COVID-19 Relief: Application Details for Living Allowance for Self-Employed Workers and Workers Without Employers
In view of the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), the Ministry of Labor of the Republic of China has planned a three-month living allowance for "self-employed workers" and "workers without a fixed employer." Those in need can check the "Epidemic Prevention Section" on the Ministry of Labor's official website and contact and consult their affiliated occupational union.
Bank Restrictions: No Entry to Business Premises Without a Mask or With a Fever of 37.5°C During COVID-19
In view of the severe impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) of the Republic of China announced that from April 20 until the day the Central Epidemic Command Center is dissolved, members of the public and bank staff entering bank business premises with an elevated temperature or without a mask shall not be allowed to enter!
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Shareholders Must Wear Masks at Shareholders' Meetings, and Those with Fever Are Barred from the Venue
At shareholders' meetings held by public companies, attending shareholders and on-site support staff must all wear masks and cooperate with temperature checks. Those who do not wear masks or refuse to do so, as well as those with forehead temperatures exceeding 37.5°C or ear temperatures exceeding 38°C on two consecutive measurements, may be barred by the company from entering the venue.
Read News 2020.04.18: Global Focus Topics and Events
April 18, 2020 (ROC Year 109) — a daily roundup of trending global news topics, tracing the currents of society through the flow of one news event after another.
Learning COVID-19 Prevention Tricks from Crowd Behavior in Public Places Like the Post Office
On a rare visit to a Chunghwa Post branch office, I observed what measures people take to protect themselves during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19, commonly known as the Wuhan virus) outbreak in public places — whether good self-protection methods or bug-level mistakes, all can serve as a reference for yourself.
Read News 2020.03.20: Global Focus Topics and Events
March 20, 2020 (ROC year 109): a daily roundup of trending global news topics, reading the pulse of social trends through the flow of individual news events.
COVID-19 Cases Break 100: Store Canned Goods and Instant Noodles Bought Out
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19, commonly known as the Wuhan virus) pneumonia outbreak spreads globally, the number of confirmed cases in the country has also climbed to 100. Whether on social media or through word of mouth among friends and family, an atmosphere of doomsday talk about needing to stock up on emergency food is emanating. From the earlier wave of toilet paper that was needlessly caught in the crossfire, to today's canned goods and instant noodles and other daily necessities, everything seems to have begun mysteriously disappearing.
Chthonic's Vulgar Racket: The Helplessness of NTU Hospital Patients and Nurses
Compared with someone getting their hand caught in a door and occupying medical resources—which at most takes up one room (do you think you can get a VIP room?)—nobody cares about the noise pollution from the loud campaign rally on Ketagalan Boulevard. Some even celebrate it joyfully 🤷🏻♂️
Commander Chen Shih-chung Should Disclose the Activity Range of the 24th COVID-19 Confirmed Case | A Demand for Information Transparency
After the 24th case with an unknown source of infection appeared in the country, the Central Epidemic Command Center of the Republic of China only announced that a middle-aged or older woman in northern Taiwan was the confirmed case, while her name, home address, district, and activity range were all uniformly withheld.
Read News 2020.02.20: Taiwan and International Focus Topics
February 20, 2020 (ROC Year 109) — a daily roundup of trending Taiwan and international news topics, covering technology, lifestyle, travel, transportation, industry and finance, business, corporations, stocks, foreign exchange markets, investment, real estate, automobiles, breaking news, sports, entertainment gossip, art, design, politics, society, mainland China, cross-strait relations, weather, natural disasters, current affairs, and more.
Read News 2020.02.12: Taiwan and International Focus Topics
February 12, 2020 (ROC Year 109) — a daily roundup of trending Taiwan and international news topics, covering technology, lifestyle, travel, transportation, industry and finance, business, corporations, stocks, foreign exchange markets, investment, real estate, automobiles, breaking news, sports, entertainment gossip, art, design, politics, society, mainland China, cross-strait relations, weather, natural disasters, current affairs, and more.
The Toilet Paper Panic... I Bought a Case Too
Two or three days ago, while everyone was still baffled, Costco's boxed toilet paper was suddenly snapped up by shoppers. Only later did we learn that someone had spread a rumor in a chat group that the raw materials for toilet paper would be requisitioned by the government to make masks, causing people to frantically hoard toilet paper.
Strict Ban on E-Scooters and Hoverboards on Sidewalks: Japan, France, and Singapore Enforce Heavy Penalties
As accidents involving micromobility vehicles surge worldwide, Singapore follows France and Japan in banning e-scooters from pedestrian footpaths, imposing fines up to S$2,000 or prison time. An examination of urban pedestrian rights and micro-mobility regulation.
Reporting a Car Parked on a Red Line in Tamsui via 1999
One day, while passing along the road, I saw a beautiful, luxurious white high-end sports car illegally parked on the red line of a small street. I immediately called 1999 to report it to the New Taipei City Government, hoping the police would send a tow truck to take the car to the towing storage yard for safekeeping.
Online Flame Wars, Polemics, and Keyboard Brawls: The Ultimate Luxury Waste of Life and Time
Polemics in classic literature, flame wars in English, keyboard trolling online—whatever you call it, digital brawling is a squandering of finite human existence. A social psychologist and cultural critique of why winning online arguments never changes minds.
Can Two Gogoro Batteries Power a Household for Five Days? The Absurd Energy Math Behind Tsai Ing-wen's Claim
Taiwan's president claimed that two Gogoro e-scooter batteries could sustain household electricity for five days. Returning to basic physics and official grid statistics reveals the chasm between political rhetoric and scientific reality.
The 815 Taiwan Blackout: Not an Accident but an Inevitability—Taiwan's Professionalism Is Systematically Spiraling Out of Control
The 815 Taiwan blackout was not an accident, but an inevitability under the populist leadership of the current administration. The key point is that your reserve capacity is simply not enough! Not enough! Not enough!
Pork Is Meat, Why Can't Dog Meat Be Meat? Starting from the Meaning of Feed Conversion Ratios
The debate between consuming dog meat versus pork has long been a clash between animal rights activists and moralists. Examining this dilemma through ecological feed conversion ratios, the evolution of human civilization, and logical consistency.
2015 Earth Hour: Turn Off the Lights for 60 Minutes, Enthusiastically Responding
March 28, 2015 is the annual global Earth Hour day. Between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. that evening, participants need to turn off the lights in their homes, studios, and offices as well as unnecessary energy-consuming products...
