Road repair worker run over by road roller: Driver drunk

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment drunk driving, Taichung City, workplace-safety

A road repair worker in Taichung City died after he was accidentally run over by a road roller driven by a colleague who was over the legal blood alcohol limit, yesterday, December 29. At around 7:00 pm, a 36-year-old man named Ding (丁) was working on a road repair site on Xiang-shang Road in Taichung West District, when he put the vehicle into reverse, accidentally running over his 61-year-old co-worker, named Zou (鄒). Other workers screamed out, alerting Ding to

Military Affairs

December 29, 2020December 29, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ministry of defense, ROC military

As 2020 comes to an end, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) released a video on Facebook, along with a press release, assuring the public that the three branches of the military will bravely advance into 2021, and continue to build a solid combat strength in the face of the “severe regional situation.” The message posted to the MND @MilitarySpokesman Facebook page noted that while 2020 has been a difficult year for many, the harder the times, the stronger the

missile fired in Taitung County Taiwan, Christmas Day, 2020

Military Affairs

December 26, 2020December 26, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment missile, NCSIST, Sky Bow III, Tien-kung III

On Christmas Eve, and the evening of Christmas day, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) test fired missiles from Taitung County, and Pingtung County, in what experts believe was an anti-missile intercept test. At 8:00 pm this evening, December 25, a missile blasted into the sky in Chenggong Township, Taitung County, providing a loud, spectacular light display until it disappeared around 20 seconds later. While the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and NCSIST stayed mum on the issue

ROC Navy Tuo Chiang class stealth missile corvette

Military Affairs

December 25, 2020December 25, 2020 Phillip Charlier 2 Comments ROC Navy, Tuo Chiang

Taiwan’s ROC Navy is ramping up production of Tuo-chiang class corvettes, and the missiles to arm them, in response to “the communist military threat to Taiwan,” Liberty Times reported today, December 25. The navy originally planned to take delivery of three of the ships by 2025, but now wants six of the “carrier killers” delivered by 2023. Alongside the accelerated production of the ships, the military is coordinating with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to also ramp

Military Affairs

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment PLA, South China Sea, US-navy

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced that it had deployed naval and air forces to expel an American guided-missile destroyer that had “trespassed” into Chinese territory near the Spratly Islands today, December 22. PLA Air Force Colonel Tian Kai-jun, spokesperson for the Southern Theater of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army made the announcement on Chinese social media site WeChat this afternoon. Tian wrote that the USS John S. McCain had trespassed into waters adjacent to China’s Nansha Islands and

cars imported from Europe at the Port of Taichung

Business and Economy

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment imports, Port of Taichung

Three thousand cars imported from Europe were unloaded at the Port of Taichung on December 21, breaking the record for the number of cars unloaded in one shipment at the port. The cars were carried by the Norwegian 56,164 gross tonnage vehicle carrier Hoegh Trident. The shipment also broke the record for the highest value for a single shipment since the Port of Taichung was opened 44 years ago, port authorities said. The shipment is valued at almost NT$10 billion

car destroyed by boulder and damaged house

Society

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment New Taipei City, rockfall, Ruifang District

A man was treated for bruising and fractured ribs after a boulder landed on his car then crashed into his house in Ruifang District, New Taipei City this evening, December 21. Mr Hsu, the owner of the car, and sheet-metal house, was indoors when the boulder suddenly fell from a slope above the property at around 7:00 pm. Fire Bureau paramedics gave Hsu first aid at the scene before sending him to Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Heavy rain and

Sport

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Taipei City, Taipei marathon

Taipei City held the 2020 marathon today, despite COVID restrictions, using the theme “#Dare to Breathe.” Taipei City Mayor Ke Wen-je said that it was probably the only large-scale city marathon to held in the world this year, thanking epidemic prevention staff for making it possible. A total of 37,000 people registered for the event, with just 28,000 accepted using a lottery system. Eight-thousand ran the full marathon, while 20,000 ran the half-marathon event. Twelve elite foreign athletes were invited

Fire

December 20, 2020February 25, 2021 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment factory fire, hydroxychloroquine, Taoyuan City

A fire that started after an explosion at the SCI Pharmtech factory in Taoyuan City shortly after noon today continues to burn this evening, and has spread to five neighboring factories. Large quantities of highly volatile solvents poured out of tanks after the initial explosion, making an intense fire, with risk of further explosions. These conditions prevented firefighters from approaching the main fire this afternoon. Strong winds generated by the northeast monsoon, and a sudden change in wind direction caused

Fire

December 20, 2020January 18, 2022 Phillip Charlier 5 Comments explosion, factory fire, hydroxychloroquine, Taoyuan City

An explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Taoyuan City left two injured and caused a fire early this afternoon, December 20. People as far as Tamsui District in New Taipei City reported hearing the massive blast shortly after noon. Immediately after the blast, thick black smoke could be seen pouring out of the SCI Pharmtech factory. Firefighters responding to the fire found two people injured. A 30-year-old foreign migrant worker suffered third-degree burns to 80%-90% of his body, and is

Business and Economy

December 19, 2020December 22, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment cannabis, marijuana

As the legal cannabis business in the United States expands into what may be a US$34 billion dollar industry by 2025, according to some estimates, Taiwanese-American cannabis ventures face a unique hurdle – fear of asking for help from the Taiwanese community. James Shih, an experienced attorney, CEO, and co-founder of California-based My Green Network (MyGN) reached out to Taiwan English News to talk about the problem. Shih, fellow co-founder and Chief Legal Officer, Ken Hwang, a seasoned entertainment and

Road repair worker run over by road roller: Driver drunk

Defense ministry sends out new year message, video: advancing bravely into 2021

Taiwan east coast residents treated to spectacular Christmas light show in the form of missile tests

Navy accelerates production of “carrier killer” corvettes in response to communist military threats

PLA Navy, Air Force “expels trespassing” US Navy ship in the South China Sea

3,000 luxury cars unloaded at Port of Taichung today, breaking previous record

Boulder flattens car and crashes into house in New Taipei City

28,000 run in 2020 Taipei City Marathon: #Dare to Breathe

Pharma factory fire spreads to 5 other factories and may not be extinguished until tomorrow

Pharmaceutical factory on fire after explosion: 2 injured

Taiwanese-American Cannabis ventures fear asking help from Taiwanese community