Pink is the new black again. In response to media reports of parents complaining that their sons were unwilling to wear pink masks to school, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung and top health authorities all wore pink masks at a regular news conference last week to show support for schoolboys who were mocked for wearing “girly” colored masks.
Chen said masks in all colors are the same, and pink masks look just fine, adding that his favorite cartoon character, the Pink Panther, is pink. His remarks have caused a “pink fever” in Taiwan, as officials and celebrities including President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwanese pitcher of the Seattle Mariners Chen Wei-yin, and world No. 1 badminton player Tai Tzu-ying posted photos of themselves wearing pink masks.
Buyers cannot choose the color or pattern of masks under Taiwan’s rationing policy. Since most masks are plain colors, one netizen has attracted attention by posting masks with national flag designs that she bought from a pharmacy in New Taipei City.
Photo: CNA 照片︰中央社
(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
粉紅色再度蔚為風潮!為了回應媒體報導有家長反映,他們的兒子不願意戴粉紅色口罩上學,衛福部部長陳時中和衛生主管上週在某例行記者會上,全體戴上粉紅色口罩,力挺因戴上所謂較女性化顏色口罩而被嘲笑的男學生。
陳時中強調所有顏色的口罩都可以戴,粉紅色也不錯,他最喜歡的卡通人物——粉紅豹——正好是粉紅色。這番話在台灣引起一股「粉紅熱」,多位官員、名人,從蔡英文總統,到水手隊台灣強投陳偉殷及世界羽球球后戴資穎等人,紛紛貼出他們戴著粉紅色口罩的照片。
在台灣目前的限量配給政策下,購買者均無法挑選口罩的顏色或花紋。由於大部分的口罩都是素色的,一位網友曬出她在新北市某藥房買到的國旗圖案口罩,立刻吸引到不少目光。
(台北時報張聖恩)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain-signaling that causes people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Autism diagnoses in the US have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern over what might contribute to its prevalence. Here is what you need to know. HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED? There are no objective tools for diagnosing autism, such as blood tests or brain scans. Instead, diagnoses are made based on observations and interviews. The term “spectrum” reflects the wide range of possible manifestations. Some people with ASD might have good conversation skills, while others might
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天? B: 就是農曆1月15日啊,今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不,我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節? B: 是的,但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會,活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧! (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
In early September 2024, Time magazine released its list of the “100 Most Influential People in AI 2024,” and among the prominent figures are three Taiwanese entrepreneurs. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su were each featured. The list, divided into four categories—Leaders, Innovators, Shapers, and Thinkers—highlights what sets these individuals apart from their peers in the field of artificial intelligence. Both Wei and Huang were placed in the Leaders category, joining the heads of Google, OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft. Wei