Stories from Taiwan

An audit commission reported that an NGO spent nearly $1 million on furniture, equipment, and 78 thermal ventilators for a Taipei hostel. The NGO explained the toilet paper holders were too difficult to use. The source noted the soap dispenser holders could have cost safety houses. Research by the Audit Commission revealed the retail price for the supply, delivery, and installation of a single unit ranges between $1,900 and $2,300. The procurement is part of a larger $38 million public resource redeployment reported by LVSU. Authorities are currently expanding support for families affected by a fire at One Foot Court. Today marks the 10th day of operations following the fire damage. An Audit's Commission noted that an NGO procured 78 thermal ventilators for a hostel in Taipei at a total cost of 503,000 dollars.

Taipei police announced traffic control measures for Ketagalan Boulevard in the Zhongzheng District on May 1. Police confirmed specific traffic controls will occur in the Zhongzheng District along Ketagalan Boulevard on May 1st due to civil group activities.

Health authorities in Taiwan reported that 150 people experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea following consumption of contaminated bento boxes. Testing confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxins in the food. The health bureau stated that 110 individuals required medical treatment. The operator has been referred for prosecution under the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act.

A court issued a first-instance verdict today against 25-year-old singer Chiu Chun-jai for causing the death of a roadside driver in 2024. A 25-year-old singer, Chiu Chun-Chai, was sentenced today for negligent driving causing death. The 25-year-old singer struck and killed a truck driver resting by the roadside in early 2024. Statistics show 40 pedestrians died in accidents involving drivers under the influence or those who refused medical examinations. There were 110 traffic accidents involving such drivers. Fourteen people died in these specific incidents, representing approximately one in ten. Additionally, 138 participants in these accidents sustained various degrees of injury. The report also noted 253 accidents involving minors under 16, resulting in 8 deaths and 272 injuries.

A contract termination involving land rights has revealed a payment to a financial consultancy firm.

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang and former Chairman Ko Wen-je met with supporters to outline the party's next steps. Taiwan's Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has launched a fundraising campaign aiming to collect 10 million New Taiwan Dollars.

Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Li-hsiung has ordered all members of the armed forces to prohibit the downloading and use of the Chinese navigation app Amap. The ban extends to the use of the application on personal mobile phones.

The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have jointly announced that Li Sichuan will represent the blue-white coalition in the upcoming New Taipei City mayoral election. Kuomintang candidate Li Sichuan received 36 percent in recent polling for the New Taipei City election. Recent media reports claimed he holds undeveloped land in Xiaoliuqiu, though he clarified that the land is a shared family inheritance and his specific portion remains unbuilt. Reports suggest he owns land in Xiaoliuqiu, though his portion is undeveloped and jointly owned with relatives. Recent media reports questioned her ownership of land in Xiaoliuqiu, which was described as inherited family property and not developed. Reports indicate she has 17 plots of land placed in trust, with most being ancestral inheritances. The candidate's campaign is expected to face further attacks and scrutiny.

Breeze Group Vice President Gao Ming-ding held a press conference today to contest the outcome of a Taiwan Railway ROT tender. The group lost the ROT tender to Starry 3 by a margin of one point.

Foreign investors have sold over 15,700 shares of TSMC today, marking three consecutive days of selling. The report noted that foreign holdings of TSMC reached a peak of 79.9% in 2014.