Rail traffic suspended in Hualien due to rockfall

Rail traffic suspended in Hualien due to rockfall

2024-07-04

Rail traffic has been suspended between Hualien’s Heren and Chongde stations, after a giant boulder fell onto the tracks.

The rock had damaged the railway tracks and left a large crater in the ground. Taiwan Railway Corporation closed the east main line to traffic, and it opened single-track, two-way traffic on the west main line. The rockfall occurred Thursday morning, outside the range of the railway’s warning system. It was discovered by 24-hour surveillance personnel, who were able to stop trains from passing on the damaged tracks.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

巨石崩落砸斷鐵軌台鐵東正線剛搶通"再次中斷"

2024-07-04

台鐵在花蓮的「和仁」到「崇德」段間才剛清除土石流，恢復通車，沒想到一早又傳出，有巨石闖入。

東正線鐵軌被砸成斷軌、地面出現一個大坑洞。台鐵成立應變小組，改由西正線，單線雙向通車。而墜落位置，超出告警系統範圍，幸好有24小時監看人員及時發現，才沒讓任何車輛經過。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Taiex surges 2.66% as TSMC joins ‘Thousand Dollar Stock Club’

2024-07-04

Chips, AI will continue to drive markets in H2: analysts

2024-07-04

US ‘monitoring’ fishing boat incident, Taiwan again urges China to release crew

2024-07-04

Government to further ease rules for hiring foreign caregivers

The government plans to further relax its rules for hiring foreign caregivers. As early as September, it will exempt three groups of people aged 80 and up from passing a test based on the Barthel Index, which measures the ability to perform everyday tasks. This policy comes after waivers were extended last October to people suffering from dementia, those with breathing or swallowing difficulties, and those who have received long-term care for at least six months.

With a declining birth rate and an aging population, more people are set to grow old without family support. Yet hiring a caregiver can be challenging. In most cases, it’s contingent on passing a Barthel Index assessment.

Member of public
The first time it was more difficult, because my mother was under 80 years old. They should have relaxed the requirements earlier, and this policy should enter effect as soon as possible. If a caregiver can’t be found, we’re forced to sacrifice their careers to look after our elders. This comes with a huge social cost.

Ministry of Labor says it will further ease requirements for hiring a foreign caregiver. It will exempt three groups of people from a Barthel Index assessment: Those at least 80 years old and who have a long history of medical conditions, who have disabilities due to irreversible medical conditions, or who have disabilities and a history of medical visits in remote areas. The exemption will enter effect as early as September, benefiting 55,000 people.

Wu Hsi-wen
Ministry of Health and Welfare
We will continue to optimize the evaluation process for those who need professional evaluation. Anyone who needs it, regardless of age, can apply for a home evaluation. This also applies to people living in remote areas and people who can’t go to a medical center due to severe conditions.

The health ministry endorsed the change. The Barthel Index requirement has long been criticized for being too strict. Based on the Barthel scale, a higher score reflects a higher degree of independence. To qualify for full-day care, people under 80 years old can score no more than 35 points, or get a doctor’s authorization if they exceed it. People aged 80 and up must hit the Barthel standard for “severe dependency.” As for people aged 85 and up, they must meet the standard for a “mild dependency.”

Chang Shin-fang
Taiwan Adventist Hospital neurologist
People with physical disabilities or conditions like Parkinson’s or other degenerative motor diseases can apply if the individual is considered to have a severe disability. We doctors conduct a detailed assessment of their condition and their physical state. If we feel that the individual meets the criteria, in principle, we follow the established process to handle their case.

Voice of Wu Ching-ju
International migrant issues researcher
Caring for people with severe conditions requires labor, and not just one person. It’s not something that can be done by one person alone. So what can we do? If we are still not tackling the core issues, how can families in more difficult positions benefit from the loosening of rules?

With an aging population, elder care and caregiver issues are demanding urgent government action.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-04

Ocean Affairs Council organizes water activities for people with physical impairments

2024-07-04

Artificial snow wonderland is big hit among families in Kaohsiung this summer

2024-07-04

Two Taiwanese return to battlefield of Russia-Ukraine war

2024-07-04

Taiwanese family sets up tennis camp for Ukrainian refugees in Romania

A Taiwanese family based in Romania has set up an initiative to support Ukrainian refugees through sport. The family of Warren Chang is running a summer tennis camp for Ukrainian refugees in Romania. Over three months, a local tennis coach is helping Ukrainian children get to grips with the sport. Some of the children have relatives serving in the Ukrainian army, and the shadow of the war hangs heavily over their summer. But with support from their Taiwanese friends, tennis can be a way to unwind and let off steam.

The coach holds a racquet and demonstrates a basic stance. The children line up, eager to give it a try.

He throws balls for them to take a swing. The kids are complete beginners and not yet in their groove, but that doesn’t stop them having fun.

Almost all the children are refugees from Ukraine who are currently in Romania. They’ve found a temporary harbor here, but are still in urgent need of support. The family of Warren Chang, from Taiwan, has set up a summer tennis camp for refugees here in Romania, to give these young people a chance to enjoy sport this summer.

Warren Chang
Tennis camp founder
I created a tennis camp for Ukrainian refugees in Romania. So thank you so much to all of the donors who donated tennis racquets, balls and even money to fund this camp.

Camp participant
It’s really interesting. We can find new friends and have a good time.

Tennis coach
We started with total beginners, and I hope, after these 10-11 weeks, to see them in the end to play tennis.

The tennis coach is happy to take the learners at a slow and steady pace. For kids whose fathers are in the Ukrainian army, sport can be therapeutic.

Camp participant
Stay in different cities, and now he’s in the military. I don’t know.

Local resident
I prefer my family to be in Romania and safe.

While the horrors of war continue to unfold, ordinary people are reaching out to support each other across national borders. This Taiwanese family’s initiative is helping refugees learn a new skill, and bringing a ray of joy into the darkest hour of these children’s lives.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-04

AI-powered scan gives insights on stress levels, heart rate, and more

Artificial intelligence is changing the game in many industries, including medical care. A new application allows for a full-body checkup with just a visual scan on any camera-enabled device. A quick scan gives readings on the user’s stress level, blood pressure, heart rate, and bone density. But how accurate is it really? Let’s find out.

She looks into the camera and stands still for one minute. She’s not posing for a photo, but getting an AI-powered physical exam.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
Using facial recognition technology, the AI assessed my health, giving me a rating of 60%, which is just above a passing grade. I can also see my stress index, which is at a normal level. I also got readings on my blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate and more.

Compared with the readings from a blood pressure monitor, the AI-generated results were just one digit off. The AI health check also showed that the reporter, who was fresh back from vacation, had normal stress levels. In comparison, the stress values of a speaker who had just given a presentation were off the charts.

Another health check measures body fat and bone condition. Developers say the AI technology can be used by businesses to look after their workers’ health and improve employee welfare.

Ms. Liu
User
The first time I used it, my stress value was quite high. After I started taking care of my sleep, I managed to improve my stress levels, and the reading fell.

Yang Hung-tai
HR consulting company
We hope to tackle a challenge that Taiwanese companies have faced in recent years. That is, setbacks such as low participation in employee welfare programs. We hope that using this technology, employees can quickly see their health status using a smartphone, iPad or any other device with a camera. They can routinely monitor their own physical and mental health.

The AI system can provide workers with a detailed health summary, while offering expert advice and links to resources to address problems.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-04

Mister International Taiwan 2024 kicks off

Mister International Taiwan is back for its second year, with 43 contestants proceeding to the preliminary round out 77 applicants applied. The participants include models, police officers, doctors, engineers, and influencers. FTV reporter Stephany Yang met the contestants to find out more about why they decided to sign up.

He walks down the runway, sharing his life motto.

Mister International Taiwan is back in action. A total of 77 contestants signed up, resulting in 43 shortlisted contestants who come from all walks of life. There are police officers, doctors, engineers, spokespersons, free-diving instructors, and more. They all work hard to keep fit, practice their talents and runway walks for the competition. Some contestants even tried intermittent fasting.

Yang lin
Contestant
When I learned about this event, do you know what intermittent fasting is? I hardly ate. I wanted to participate this time because everyone thinks that engineers are geeks, and perhaps think they are gamers who stay at home and watch anime. I want to use this opportunity of Mister International Taiwan to help everyone change this image of geeks.

Yu Wen-wei
Contestant
When I signed up, I was already working out vigorously. I lost 6 kilograms. When we police officers are on duty, we work at least 12 hours. I will still go to the gym, practice dancing, and my talent after work.

Leon Wu
Contestant
I am a free diving snorkeling instructor. I wanted to participate in Mister International Taiwan this time because I want to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

The preliminary round included a fashion show, a swimsuit show, and a Q&A segment. Five contestants will be selected to represent Taiwan at the Mister Friendship International Competition in December.

Joe Kampol Thongchai
Mister Friendship International president
We decided to be here in December because of the culture, the landscape, the city, the people, and the food. There are so many things that Taiwan can offer to candidates from around the world.

The Mister Friendship International will hold its global finals in Taiwan in December this year. Representatives from over 30 countries will compete for the crown.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-04