Taipei, New Taipei public transport to roll out QR code payments from Saturday
Taipei, New Taipei public transport to roll out QR code payments from SaturdayBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNACity buses in Taipei and New Taipei City, as well as the Taipei MRT, would begin accepting QR code payments from five electronic payment providers starting this Saturday, the Taipei Department of Transportation said today. The new option would allow passengers to use the "transportation QR code" feature from EasyWallet, iPASS Money, iCash Pay, JkoPay and PXPay Plus. Passengers should open their preferred electronic payment app, select the "transportation code," not the regular payment code, unlock it, and then scan the code at ticket readers or gates, Taipei Department of Transportation General Planning Division Director-General Liu Kuo-chu (劉國著) said. As for frequent rider benefits, the existing system for stored-value cards such as EasyCard, iPASS and iCash cards remains unchanged, and QR code users would also qualify for the same MRT loyalty rebates, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said. Taipei would continue to encourage and invite other payment providers, such as LINE Pay Money, to join the system, enabling residents to access major public transportation services across the greater Taipei area using just their mobile phone, Liu said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 08:11 UTC
Cancer cases rising, in part due to early detection: HPA
Cancer cases rising, in part due to early detection: HPAStaff writer, with CNATaiwan recorded 138,051 new cancer cases in 2023, 7,758 more than in 2022, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) reported today. The next most common cancers in 2023 were breast cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, oral cavity cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer, gastric cancer and corpus uteri cancer. The rankings were unchanged from 2021, except that skin cancer and gastric cancer swapped positions, the report said. In terms of long-term trends, the SIRs of lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and corpus uteri cancer have been rising, while those of oral cavity cancer, gastric cancer and skin cancer have remained stable. Colorectal cancer has shown fluctuations, and liver cancer is the only type to exhibit a downward trend, Hsieh said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 07:52 UTC
Average temp in Taiwan this year was 24.53°C: CWA
Average temp in Taiwan this year was 24.53°C: CWABy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe average temperature in Taiwan this year was 24.53°C, the twelfth-highest since records began in 1897, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today in an end-of-year media conference. The average temperature was taken from Jan. 1 until Sunday, with this year 1.22°C higher than the 100-year average recorded from 1901 to 2000, the CWA said. Taiwan’s average temperature is also higher than the 100-year average, showing that it is also facing the effects of global warming, Huang said. Meanwhile, cumulative rainfall this year was above average, Huang said. Most of the year’s rainfall was concentrated in July, which experienced the highest total rainfall for that period since 1951, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 07:52 UTC
Trump unconcerned about China’s military exercises around Taiwan
Trump unconcerned about China’s military exercises around TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAUS President Donald Trump said yesterday that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) had not informed him in advance of China's ongoing military exercises around Taiwan, adding that he was "not worried" about the operation. US President Donald Trump listens during a news conference last week Monday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The president said he was "not worried" about rising tensions around Taiwan, adding that China has been "doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area." China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command announced the start of the two-day exercises, codenamed "Justice Mission-2025," yesterday morning. The PLA announcement indicated that its forces would encircle Taiwan and its outlying islands in the Taiwan Strait, actions that Taiwan views as encroachment into its territorial waters and airspace.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 06:53 UTC
90 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line during drill
90 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line during drillBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAFrom 6am yesterday until 6am today, 14 Chinese warships, eight government vessels and 130 military aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, were detected around Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. The ministry said China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent 130 warplanes and drones during the 24-hour period to "harass" Taiwan, with 90 of them crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line and flying into Taiwanese airspace. A Chinese J-16 fighter is pictured during the Chinese People's Liberation Army's ongoing military exercise while being monitored by a Taiwanese F-16V jet yesterday. The Taiwanese military is using mission-specific aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems to closely monitor the situation and respond to the exercises, the MND said. In addition, Taiwan's army conducted combat readiness and reconnaissance patrol exercises today to protect key targets in outlying Penghu County.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 06:10 UTC
Lai condemns China’s ‘irresponsible’ drills
Lai condemns China’s ‘irresponsible’ drillsBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNA and ReutersChina's recent escalation of military pressure is not the behavior of a responsible major power while Taiwan would not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes, President William Lai (賴清德) said today. President William Lai is pictured in an undated photograph. "Because of your round-the-clock protection, the public can continue their daily lives and move forward with peace of mind," he said. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) yesterday launched a military exercise named “Justice Mission 2025” encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills scheduled from 8am to 6pm today in five sea and air zones around Taiwan. The drill was meant to serve as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces” and “external interference forces,” the PLA said yesterday.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 06:10 UTC
Chilly New Year’s Eve ahead as temperatures drop to 12°C
Chilly New Year’s Eve ahead as temperatures drop to 12°CBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterNew Year’s Eve revelers attending outdoor events in the north might want to bundle up, as temperatures could drop to 12°C due to an approaching strong continental cold air mass, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The strong cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Thursday and continue to affect the nation until the weekend, Lin said. Next week’s cold air mass is forecast to be slightly weaker than the strong continental cold air mass this week, he added. Chances of rain in the north and east would rise again when another cold air arrives on Monday next week, he added. High mountains in areas north of central Taiwan at elevations of around 3,000m may also experience icy conditions, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 30, 2025 05:54 UTC
Steelers, Panthers lose to set up showdowns
Steelers, Panthers lose to set up showdownsAFP, WASHINGTONThe Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers lost on Sunday to miss out on clinching playoff berths, setting up a pair of showdowns for post-season spots. Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in their NFL game in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, left, pressures Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their NFL game in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday. The 49ers would take the National Football Conference top seed by beating Seattle. The Patriots clinched the American Football Conference East crown when Buffalo lost a 13-12 thriller to defending champions Philadelphia.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 21:44 UTC
Inter edge Atalanta to stay top
The Argentina striker has scored in four consecutive league matches to end what has been a tricky year in positive style. Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, right, scores against Atalanta BC in their Serie A match at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy, on Sunday. Verona, who had won their past two matches against Atalanta and ACF Fiorentina, stay in the relegation zone, two points behind Genoa, who sit just outside the bottom three. “I’m getting better every season,” said Hojlund, who played in Italy for Atalanta before United. “Obviously when I was at Atalanta I was a bit younger and I’ve got a bit more experience now.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 20:14 UTC
Spurs deliver big win for Thomas Frank as Calvert-Lewin denies Sunderland
Spurs deliver big win for Thomas Frank as Calvert-Lewin denies SunderlandAFP, LONDONTottenham Hotspur on Sunday ground out a much-needed three points for the under-fire head coach Thomas Frank with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, while high-flying Sunderland were held 1-1 by Leeds United. Richarlison had two goals disallowed for offside, but Gray’s header was enough for Spurs against a Palace side running out of steam after a grueling schedule. Tottenham Hotspur’s Archie Gray, top, scores against Crystal Palace in their English Premier League match at Selhurst Park in London on Sunday. Palace dominated territory and possession after halftime, but lacked the class needed in front of goal to make Spurs pay. Leeds had been the better side for large spells of the first half and started the second with a bang.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 20:14 UTC
Kim Keon-hee probe finalized
Kim Keon-hee probe finalizedReuters, SEOULFormer South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife interfered in state affairs in return for expensive valuables and money, a special prosecutor said yesterday. The prosecution team earlier this month sought a 15-year prison sentence for former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee, who is under detention and currently on trial for suspected acceptance of bribes for mediation and other charges. Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee arrives the Seoul Central District Court on Aug. 12 to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant. A lower court ruling on Kim is expected on Jan. 28 next year. “Various people who did not have a common denominator with each other visited Kim Keon-hee, not the president, and asked for what they wanted, and gave money and goods,” assistant special prosecutor Kim Hyeong-geun said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 17:14 UTC
Drills signaling China-Russia cooperation: academics
Drills signaling China-Russia cooperation: academicsStaff writer, with CNAThe military exercises China launched yesterday have many purposes, including cognitive warfare against Taiwan, countering US-Japan military cooperation and the showcasing of coordination with Russia, an academic said yesterday. The drills were in part conducted in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statements on a potential “Taiwan contingency,” as well as Tokyo’s increasingly close military cooperation with the US, Lin said. People walk by a giant screen in Beijing yesterday during a broadcast of news on China’s military drills around Taiwan. Photo: ReutersLast month, Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan would constitute a threat to Japan’s survival and could warrant a military response from Tokyo, drawing an angry reaction from Beijing. The Guardian yesterday quoted analysts as saying that it was the first time the PLA had explicitly said it was practicing deterring international involvement.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 17:14 UTC
CDC to expand HIV treatment coverage for foreigners
CDC to expand HIV treatment coverage for foreignersStaff writer, with CNAThe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it is planning to expand eligibility for publicly funded HIV treatment for foreign nationals next year, but has not revealed details of the plan. CDC Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) on Monday last week said that subsidy regulations are being revised and eligibility for publicly funded treatment for foreign residents would be expanded. Lo at the time said the expansion would initially prioritize foreign nationals holding permanent residency and those younger than 18, but he offered no other details. As of late last month, 36,494 Taiwanese nationals and 615 foreign nationals in Taiwan were HIV-positive, the CDC said on Friday last week. The adult pneumococcal vaccine program would be launched on Jan. 15 next year.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 17:14 UTC
Older adults may struggle to learn a new language, but it’s still worthwhile
Older adults may struggle to learn a new language, but it’s still worthwhileBy Stephen Wade / AP, TOKYOI speak decent Spanish, picked up working several decades ago as a news and sports reporter in Spain, Mexico and Argentina. Older people might have foggier memories, but learning a language still helps to work the mind. She said there have been several efforts to examine language learning in older adults and the ramifications. LEARNING A LANGUAGE LATE IN LIFEI visited Spain’s Mediterranean coast in the 1990s when I worked in Madrid. “But the experience of trying to learn the language is good for your brain.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 17:13 UTC
Nvidia, Lenovo and Samsung to test consumer appetite for AI at CES
Nvidia, Lenovo and Samsung to test consumer appetite for AI at CESBloombergAt the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week, the biggest names in tech, including Nvidia Corp, Advanced Micro Devices Inc, Samsung Electronics Co and Lenovo Group Ltd (聯想), will make the case for artificial intelligence (AI). CES, which runs from Jan. 6-9, is where many tech companies unveil their wares for the year. The CES logo is displayed as attendees enter an exhibit hall during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 7. It’s a similar story for Snap, which isn’t likely to choose this venue to announce pricing and availability for its forthcoming “Specs” glasses. Companion robots will be a common sight as well, including products like the Jennie robot dog from Tombot Inc, a California-based start-up focused on developing products for aging adults and people living with dementia.
Source:Taipei Times
December 29, 2025 17:13 UTC