EPA warns over high UV
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday warned the public to avoid outdoor activities due to high levels of UV rays because of clear skies and high temperatures. The UV reading across the nation could reach 8, the agency said. A UV index of 8 or above is considered high, while a reading of 11 or higher is considered dangerous. Yesterday’s weather conditions were a result of a strong Pacific high pressure system above Taiwan, which sent temperatures to above 36°C in most regions, the Central Weather Bureau said. In addition, southeastern parts of the country have seen Foehn winds, warm and dry gusts that sent the mercury soaring to 36.9°C at 9:40am. According to the WHO, limited exposure to UV light is essential for vitamin D production in people, but overexposure may result in acute and chronic health problems.
Dengue fever on the rise
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday urged the public to take precautions against dengue fever, after more cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported. The nation has reported 149 indigenous dengue fever cases this year, about twice the number seen in the same period last year, the CDC said. From Tuesday last week to Monday, nine indigenous cases were confirmed, it said, adding that the outbreak could increase in summer months, which are favorable for vector breeding. The threat from abroad is increasing as well, with Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia recording more cases this year, it said. Health officials said people should keep their homes free of standing water and take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
BASKETBALL
Jeremy Lin to host camp
Jeremy Lin (林書豪), the first NBA player of Taiwanese descent, who enjoys tremendous popularity in the nation, is scheduled to arrive in Taipei on Monday for a week-long visit. Similar to his trip last year to Taiwan, Lin is to host a basketball camp at which 60 high-school and junior-high players will have the opportunity to be coached by the NBA player. On Saturday next week, 600 fans will have the opportunity to meet Lin at event at the National Taiwan University Sports Center. Before coming to Taiwan, Lin made a week-long visit to China for basketball camps and television interviews. Lin is to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. In an interview in China, Lin disclosed that he wants to sign with a team compatible with his style of play and where he would be among the starting lineup. He added that he has not ruled out any of the NBA teams.
ENTERTAINMENT
Jackson to present awards
US producer and musician Randy Jackson is to present two awards with TV travel show host Janet Hsieh (謝怡芬) at the 26th Golden Melody Awards ceremony today, the organizers said. The two are to hand out the awards for Best Instrumental Album Producer and Best Instrumental Album at the ceremony, Taiwan’s biggest music event. Jackson, a former judge on popular show American Idol, earlier this week expressed interest in Taiwanese Mandopop king Jay Chou’s (周杰倫) music and invited the singer to contact him. He said he also enjoys the music of pop diva Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) and band Mayday (五月天). Other presenters at today’s ceremony include Chou, Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Wang Lee-hom (王力宏), Singaporean singer-songwriter J.J. Lin (林俊傑) and Cantonese singer and actress Karen Mok (莫文蔚), the organizers said.
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
Taiwan-Japan Travel Passes are available for use on public transit networks in the two countries, Taoyuan Metro Corp said yesterday, adding that discounts of up to 7 percent are available. Taoyuan Metro, the Taipei MRT and Japan’s Keisei Electric Railway teamed up to develop the pass. Taoyuan Metro operates the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line, while Keisei Electric Railway offers express services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport, and the Keisei Ueno and Nippori stations in the Japanese capital, as well as between Narita and Haneda airports. The basic package comprises one one-way ticket on the Taoyuan MRT Line and one Skyliner ticket on
A new tropical storm formed late yesterday near Guam and is to approach closest to Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Tropical Storm Pulasan became the 14th named storm of the year at 9:25pm yesterday, the agency said. As of 8am today, it was near Guam traveling northwest at 21kph, it said. The storm’s structure is relatively loose and conditions for strengthening are limited, WeatherRisk analyst Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) said on Facebook. Its path is likely to be similar to Typhoon Bebinca, which passed north of Taiwan over Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and made landfall in Shanghai this morning, he said. However, it
Starlux Airlines, Taiwan’s newest international carrier, has announced it would apply to join the Oneworld global airline alliance before the end of next year. In an investor conference on Monday, Starlux Airlines chief executive officer Glenn Chai (翟健華) said joining the alliance would help it access Taiwan. Chai said that if accepted, Starlux would work with other airlines in the alliance on flight schedules, passenger transits and frequent flyer programs. The Oneworld alliance has 13 members, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, and serves more than 900 destinations in 170 territories. Joining Oneworld would also help boost
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