Hualien’s Uranus Building demolished two weeks after earthquake

Hualien’s Uranus Building demolished two weeks after earthquake

2024-04-17

Two weeks after the April 3 earthquake, the demolition of Hualien’s Uranus Building is complete. The process had been a challenge due to ongoing aftershocks.

After the last of the building came down, demolition crew and county officials lined up at the site, sharing a moment of silence for the woman who died in the building during the quake. Although some cleanup work remains, the roads surrounding the site are expected to reopen as early as Friday.

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天王星大樓主體結構拆完周邊道路最快週五通車

2024-04-17

花蓮天王星大樓，在地震發生兩個禮拜後，今天終於拆除完畢，由於拆除過程中，不斷發生餘震，讓難度更高。

怪手、大鋼牙全都排成一列，全體工作人員、縣府人員，都脫下帽子，向天王星大樓罹難的康老師致意。不過，目前還有收尾工程，周邊道路預估最快19號就能恢復通車。

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The scooter license written test will soon be getting an update. Starting June 5, there will be five video questions about potential road hazards. Test-takers will be asked for the safest response to real traffic risks. The exam update aims to improve Taiwan’s road safety, as nearly 1,900 people died in scooter-related accidents last year.

Driving in a straight line for seven seconds is considered the trickiest part of Taiwan’s scooter license test. Last year, 1,886 people died in scooter-related accidents in Taiwan, accounting for more than 60% of all traffic deaths. In a bid to improve road safety, the Highway Bureau is adding a new set of questions to the written test for scooter licensing.

Chen Yao-chi
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Starting June 5, the written test will have video questions on hazard identification, in addition to the current questions based on pictures of traffic scenarios.

Framed from a scooter rider’s perspective, the video questions ask about safe practices, such as what to do if a car on the left signals a lane change to the right. A total of 109 video questions like this will be added to the bank. From June 5, the written test will still have 50 questions, but five of the 10 picture scenarios will be replaced by video questions, to prepare prospective drivers for real road dangers.

Mr. Chiang
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It should help, getting familiar with real traffic scenarios.

Mr. Kao
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As far as personal safety goes, I think the more cautious the better. If there are such questions on the exam, it would give the written test more practical value.

Practice questions will be available for download from the Highway Bureau website. As before, test-takers must watch all the videos on the bureau’s Motorcycle Hazard Perception Education Platform before scheduling their exam.

Wei Wu-sheng
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The new questions will help test-takers understand the hazards they may encounter on the road and take preventative measures. Five video questions will be added to the test, chosen out of a pool of 109 videos. The software is already set up, but it is still being calibrated and tested.

There’s still a month and a half to go before the new test launches. It remains to be seen whether the updated format will have an effect on reducing road casualties.

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Taoyuan gears up for Longgang Rice Noodle Festival, despite food safety scare

Taoyuan is gearing up for the annual Longgang Rice Noodle Festival. It’s a celebration of traditional food and multicultural arts, but after a recent food poisoning scandal in Taipei, many people feel wary of rice-based products. But Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng is keen to restore confidence in the industry. Despite the scandal, he is undeterred, saying he hopes people from all over Taiwan will come to Taoyuan later this month to enjoy the food.

A sip of rich broth and a mouthful of rice noodles. This is the star of the Longgang Rice Noodle Festival in Taoyuan. Mayor Chang San-cheng gave it a try at a press conference, singing the praises of his city’s local delicacies.

Chang San-cheng
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I really want to highlight that although a while ago, people were very concerned about food safety, our rice noodles in Longgang are quality-ensured by the Department of Public Health. They are definitely completely safe.

After a food poisoning scandal at the restaurant Polam Kopitiam, many diners are suspicious of rice products. It’s been a blow for the rice noodle business. The mayor of Taoyuan was keen to support local noodle makers, and decided to hold the annual Longgang Rice Noodle Festival on schedule.

The Longgang Rice Noodle Festival is a big event in Taoyuan, attracting huge crowds each year. In 2023, it won the accolade of “International Level Special Local Event” from the Tourism Administration. The event’s venue has been expanded this year, to include Yunnan Cultural Park, Zhongzhen New Village Cultural park and Longgang Playground. There will also be a blessing through water flicking, a parade with Dai dancing, and other cultural experiences, giving tourists a taste of multicultural fun without the air miles.

Chang San-cheng
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We encourage all our Taoyuan natives, and everyone in Taiwan, if you have time, between April 20 and 28, come to Longgang Rice Noodle Festival in Pingzhen, Taoyuan, to experience our delicious food and an international atmosphere.

The city government hopes the event will repair public confidence in rice products, so people can indulge with their minds at ease.

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Taiwan’s first bluefin tuna’ fetches NT$3.52 million at auction

The first bluefin tuna of the season was sold for a cool NT$3.52 million on Wednesday. At an Yilan auction, the sushi restaurant Sando House placed the highest bid, winning the season’s first catch for the fourth year in a row. This year’s price exceeded last year’s by over NT$1.28 million. It was also the most paid for any fish in Yilan’s Su’ao Township.

Amid an explosion of firecrackers, fishers work together to hoist the first bluefin tuna of the season. They’re at the auction site of Yilan’s third fish market. Early morning on Wednesday, an eager crowd gathered to touch and take photos of the giant fish.

Massive and gleaming, the tuna was measured by an expert and weighed in at 269 kilograms. It’s not only the first bluefin caught in Su’ao, but the first caught anywhere in Taiwan.

Bidding began at NT$1.01 million. After some fast action, Sando House restaurant placed the winning bid of NT$13,100 per kilogram, or a total sum of NT$3.523 million. This is the sushi restaurant’s fourth year in a row winning the season’s first catch. Its price also beat last year’s total by more than NT$1.28 million.

Lee I-li
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The auction was very exciting, more than I expected it to be. When I first arrived there weren’t that many people. I thought I could win easily. This price is fairly high. I think it’s broken records.

Tuna season runs from April to June. This year, a Su’ao-registered boat once again became the first in Taiwan to catch a bluefin, continuing the township’s winning streak.

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The first bluefin tuna was caught right here in Su’ao Township, Yilan. We want to give our thanks to the Sando House restaurant. Every year from April to June is bluefin tuna season. We invite all our friends from around the country to come visit Yilan County.

Four-time auction winner Sando House paid a premium for this season’s first catch. But it plans to offer the fish at regular prices, to give diners a taste of Taiwan’s finest.

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Nicaraguan Carlos Alberto Machado Hodgson came to Taiwan to study at his mother’s suggestion, and now works as a full-time martial arts instructor. With international certification, Machado Hodgson has opened his own dojang, or training hall, and works with the International Taekwon-Do Federation. Apart from teaching, he also takes a team to compete internationally every year, winning accolades for himself and his students.

After studying for more than 20 years, Carlos Alberto Machado Hodgson from Nicaragua is a fourth dan black belt and Taekwondo instructor with global standing. He now teaches at his own dojang and promotes the sport through the International Taekwon-Do Federation, or ITF. Traditional Taekwondo teaches mental fortitude and technique through forms, sparring and self-defense.

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This past Lunar New Year, Machado Hodgson competed in the WAKO India Open kickboxing tournament organized by the Chinese Taipei Association, again earning great results.

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I competed in three categories. In Point Fighting I got third place, and I got first place in Kick Light.

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