Several government measures and special offers from different divisions are to be launched on Wednesday.
The Department of Health (DOH) will begin administering free shots of Pneumococcus vaccine for children under age five. Approximately 6,500 children are expected to benefit from the new measure.
The DOH will also start implementing its new labeling system for vegetarian food. It has divided vegetarian food into five categories, including food containing eggs, milk, or both milk and eggs, as well as those containing green onions, garlic, green leeks, red leeks and white onions, and those containing none of the ingredients above.
Food manufacturers must follow the categories and label their products appropriately.
Meanwhile, to reward those who save electricity, Taiwan Power Co (Taipower, 台電) will give a 20 percent discount to those who use 10 percent less electricity compared with the same time period last year. Those who cut consumption by 10 percent for two consecutive years will receive a discount of 30 percent.
Also starting on Wednesday, Republic of China passports holders can travel to Ireland visa-free, however those going to work or study must still apply for visas.
The National Youth Commission will also begin taking applications for internships at overseas non-profit organizations starting on Wednesday. Successful applicants will receive flight subsidies and NT$18,000 in spending money every month.
Both the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) and the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp will start offering special deals for summer travelers.
The TRA will start selling a “TR-Pass” next month to encourage backpacking around the country. Taiwanese students can choose either a five-day or seven-day TR-Pass, which cost NT$599 and NT$799 respectively, while foreign students can also purchase 10-day passes for NT$1,089.
TR-Pass holders will have unlimited access to several TRA train services, including the Chukuang Express, Fuxing Express and commuter trains. However, they will not be able to use the pass on Tzuchiang Express trains, the most expensive service.
Groups traveling on the Taiwan High Speed Rail may be eligible for free tickets. The company is offering a buy-four, get-one-free deal on tickets.
AirAsia, which offers low-priced flights, meanwhile, will launch its service at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport starting on Wednesday
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip. It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said. The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time. According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest