US Air Force sends supersonic bombers for missions over the South China Sea

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment defense, South China Sea, US Air Force

Two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew a sortie into East China Sea north-east of Taiwan before turning towards Guam today, May 1, reported Aircraft Spots on Twitter. This follows a sortie by two of the supersonic bombers over the South China Sea, just 2 days ago, according to a press release from Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, yesterday. ” This operation demonstrates the U.S. Air Force’s dynamic force employment model in line with the National Defense Strategy’s

injured worker after explosion at biogas facility

Health and Safety

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Hualien County, industrial-accident, workplace-safety

Three workers were injured after an explosion at a biogas recovery facility in Hualien County this morning, Labor Day, May 1. Hualien County Fire Department received reports of a massive explosion in Yuli Township at around 9:45 am. Three workers were found to have suffered multiple fractures and other injuries at the site of the explosion. One worker had a fractured spine and femur and was transferred to Taipei City for treatment after being stabilized at a local hospital. Another

Health and Safety

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment industrial-accident, Taoyuan City, workplace-safety

A female worker’s body was recovered 13 hours after she was buried alive on a construction site in Taoyuan City yesterday afternoon, April 30. Four people were trapped after the ground collapsed at the site of an underground car park construction project in Pingzhen District shortly after 4:00 pm. Three of the trapped workers were rescued and two were treated for cuts and bruises, but a 62-year-old woman remained missing. Firefighters worked all night in a search and rescue operation

Military Affairs

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment Anping Class Coast Guard Patrol Ship, Taiwan Coast Guard

The first twin-hull high-speed Anping-class coast guard cutter was launched in Kaohsiung today, April 27, and is designed with both peacetime and wartime capabilities. The 600-ton vessel is a coast guard version of the ROC Navy’s Tuo Chiang class stealth missile corvette, dubbed Taiwan’s “carrier killer” ship. Fitted with a water cannon, and the multi-barrel Zhenhai rocket system, the ships are fitted for use in peacetime coastal and border defense operations. However the ships can also carry the same anti-land

Fire

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 Phillip Charlier 5 Comments fire, Taipei City

Fifty four people were sent to hospital, and 5 have been declared dead after a fire at a popular KTV in Taipei City today, April 26. The Taipei City Fire Department dispatched 56 fire appliances, 23 ambulances, and 192 personnel to the Party World KTV on Linsen North Road in Zhongshan District after the fire was reported shortly before 11:00 am. According to the preliminary investigation, the fire broke out on the 5th floor of the 14-storey building, trapping people

driver-less electric bus in New Taipei City, Taiwan

Business and Economy

April 23, 2020April 23, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment driver-less car, electric bus, New Taipei City, Tamsui Light Rail

Driver-less electric buses will begin plying a 1.2 kilometer route in Tamsui District, New Taipei City tomorrow, April 24, but passengers will not be allowed on board for the first month. Road markings and signage has been completed and the road test will be launched to collect operational information and public opinions. After the first month of testing, a further 6-month-long testing period with passengers will begin. The trial route will connect Tamsui Light Rail Kanding Station with New Square

Navy personnel from a ship where sailors tested positive for COVID-19 in Taiwan

Military Affairs

April 18, 2020April 19, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment COVID-19, Palau, ROC Navy

Three navy crew members have tested positive for COVID-19 after departing Taiwan February 21, and stopping only at the coronavirus-free island of Palau more than one month ago. The three young sailors, all in their 20s served on board one of three ships to make the annual oceanic training voyage, returning to the Port of Kaohsiung April 9. This year’s voyage was shortened to 48 days due to the coronavirus situation preventing visits to some countries. Since the ships had

Taiwanese born reporter Chang Ching-yi and US President Donald Trump

Media Issues

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Chang Ching-yi, Chinese media, Donald Trump, propaganda

A reporter for a Chinese state-owned media group who deceptively answered “Taiwan” when US President Donald Trump asked him where he was from during a White House press briefing last week, will be investigated by the relevant authorities, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said today. Last Wednesday, April 8, Chang Ching-yi was attending a regular White House press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic when the President asked him where he was from. While the Taiwan born and educated Chang did

Health and Safety

April 14, 2020October 18, 2020 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment asymptomatic positive cases, COVID-19, false negative, false positive, quarantine

A Taiwanese businessman who was put into a negative pressure isolation ward in January ,after breaching quarantine on his return from Wuhan, China, then testing positive for COVID-19, was finally released today, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) confirmed. The man, who is not identified in media reports, but described as in his fifties, returned to Taiwan from Wuhan in January. However, instead of self-quarantining at home as required by anti-epidemic regulations, he went out to nightclubs in Kaohsiung City.

Military Affairs

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020 Phillip Charlier 2 Comments PLA, ROC military, US Military

China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning entered the Pacific Ocean via the Miyako Strait north of Taiwan and is heading south towards the South China Sea, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), today, April 12. The maneuver comes after a range of movements by Chinese and American aircraft and ships since April 10. On the morning of April 10, six PLA aircraft flew from the coast of China via the Bashi Channel south of Taiwan into the Pacific Ocean in

Traffic Accidents

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Kaohsiung City, level-crossing-accident, TRA, train accident, train derailed

Four people were taken to hospital after a local commuter train hit a truck on a level crossing in Kaohsiung City this afternoon. The collision occurred at 1:13 pm on a level crossing near the Nandong cement factory between XinZuoying and Nanzi Stations. The local shuttle service #3198 train suffered serious impact damage to the front cabin and was derailed. Train traffic was blocked in both directions affecting 34 trains and an estimated 5,090 passengers by 5:00 pm. Single-line two-way

US Air Force sends supersonic bombers for missions over the South China Sea

Three workers injured after explosion at biogas facility

One worker dead, three injured after construction site ground collapse

New coast guard ships designed to double up as missile corvettes in wartime

At least 5 dead, 50 injured after KTV fire in Taipei City: Alarms and sprinkler system were switched off

Driver-less electric buses to begin testing in New Taipei City

Three Navy crew test positive for COVID-19 after months at sea

China-based Taiwanese White House reporter to be investigated by Taiwan authorities

Man spends 81 days in hospital with no symptoms of COVID-19

China aircraft carrier group east of Taiwan on third day of tit for tat military maneuvers

Train driver, three passengers injured in level crossing collision