Seasonal winds from the northeast are expected to lower temperatures starting this weekend, with northern and eastern Taiwan likely to see daytime lows of about 20°C and highs between 26°C and 28°C through Thursday, the Central Weather Bureau said. An increase in humidity could bring showers during the period.
The cold air should have less of an effect on central and southern Taiwan, where temperatures are expected to range from 22°C to 32°C with slightly cloudy to sunny skies, the bureau said.
The bureau added that Typhoon Phanfone is unlikely to directly affect the nation in the coming days, as it would likely move northeast toward the main islands of Japan after passing Okinawa.
Those planning to travel to Japan over the weekend should watch the storm’s development for possible flight disruptions, it said.
In other news, the Taipei Astronomical Museum said next week would be a significant one for stargazers, as a total lunar eclipse, the peak of a meteor shower and the brightening of a planet are all expected on Tuesday.
The Draconid meteor shower peaks late on Tuesday night, producing up to 10 shooting stars per hour, the museum said.
The Draconid meteor shower is created each year when Earth passes through a trail of dust left over by the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, an icy wanderer of the solar system that orbits the sun once every 6.6 years.
In addition, the planet Uranus is to be at its brightest for the year on Tuesday when it reaches opposition, which occurs when Earth passes between Uranus and the sun.
Meanwhile, a total lunar eclipse is to be visible between 6:30pm and 7:30pm on Tuesday, weather permitting, the museum said.
The last time a lunar eclipse and a Uranus opposition occurred simultaneously was in September, 2006, the museum said, adding that such a coincidence is not due to take place again until November 2022.
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) yesterday appealed to the authorities to release former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) from pretrial detention amid conflicting reports about his health. The TPP at a news conference on Thursday said that Ko should be released to a hospital for treatment, adding that he has blood in his urine and had spells of pain and nausea followed by vomiting over the past three months. Hsieh Yen-yau (謝炎堯), a retired professor of internal medicine and Ko’s former teacher, said that Ko’s symptoms aligned with gallstones, kidney inflammation and potentially dangerous heart conditions. Ko, charged with
Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀) has been sentenced to three years in prison, fined 50,000 yuan (US$6,890) in personal assets and deprived political rights for one year for “inciting secession” in China, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said today. The Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdict on Feb. 17, Chen said. The trial was conducted lawfully, and in an open and fair manner, he said, adding that the verdict has since come into legal effect. The defendant reportedly admitted guilt and would appeal within the statutory appeal period, he said, adding that the defendant and his family have