HEALTH
Dengue cases total 25,379
The nation reported another 248 cases of dengue fever, bringing the total number of infections since the start of May to 25,379, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. As of Sunday, Kaohsiung and Tainan, where the dengue fever outbreak is concentrated, had reported 125 and 119 new cases respectively. It appears that the dengue fever outbreak is intensifying in Kaohsiung and abating in Tainan, the CDC said, adding that the two southern cities have accumulated 4,544 and 20,400 cases so far respectively. While 23,076 dengue patients have recovered nationwide, 43 are still being treated in intensive care units, CDC statistics showed. In addition, Tropical Storm Koppu could bring rain as it approaches the nation, which is favorable for vector breeding.
CULTURE
Museum to be renovated
The Juming Museum (朱銘美術館), a popular indoor and outdoor showcase for dramatic sculptures located on the nation’s northern coast, is to close for three months from Nov. 2 for a renovation of the museum’s interior and restoration of some of its artworks. It is to be the first time the museum has closed for such a long period of time since it was established by Ju Ming (朱銘), the nation’s best-known sculptor, in 1999 to house his works, the museum said. Before the museum gets its facelift, it is to be open to the public free of admission between 6pm and 9pm on Oct. 31, and music is to be performed in the outdoor space to entertain visitors, it said. The museum added that the huge Living World Series collage of works displayed in the central hall of the main building are to be taken down during the three-month closure to be maintained and restored.
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is maintaining close ties with Beijing, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday, hours after a new round of Chinese military drills in the Taiwan Strait began. Political parties in a democracy have a responsibility to be loyal to the nation and defend its sovereignty, DPP spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) told a news conference in Taipei. His comments came hours after Beijing announced via Chinese state media that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command was holding large-scale drills simulating a multi-pronged attack on Taiwan. Contrary to the KMT’s claims that it is staunchly anti-communist, KMT Deputy
RESPONSE: The government would investigate incidents of Taiwanese entertainers in China promoting CCP propaganda online in contravention of the law, the source said Taiwanese entertainers living in China who are found to have contravened cross-strait regulations or collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could be subject to fines, a source said on Sunday. Several Taiwanese entertainers have posted on the social media platform Sina Weibo saying that Taiwan “must be returned” to China, and sharing news articles from Chinese state media. In response, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has asked the Ministry of Culture to investigate whether the entertainers had contravened any laws, and asked for them to be questioned upon their return to Taiwan, an official familiar with the matter said. To curb repeated
Myanmar has turned down an offer of assistance from Taiwanese search-and-rescue teams after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the nation on Friday last week, saying other international aid is sufficient, the National Fire Agency said yesterday. More than 1,700 have been killed and 3,400 injured in the quake that struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay early on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.7 aftershock. Worldwide, 13 international search-and-rescue teams have been deployed, with another 13 teams mobilizing, the agency said. Taiwan’s search-and-rescue teams were on standby, but have since been told to stand down, as
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