Today's (8/4) Top News! Seniors Receive Money! One County Announces '6,500 NTD Mid-Autumn Bonus' / Why Is the Baseball Association Chairperson Zhou Ling-Wen? / Most Popular NTU Department Revealed! Huang Ren-Xun Endorses 'Bright Prospects'

Storm Media brings you today’s key news highlights! A local government has launched the 'Changle 65 Project,' offering 6,500 NTD in cash gifts to seniors aged 65 and above for the Mid-Autumn Festival, with plans to continue disbursements during Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn Festivals next year—full details inside. The Chinese Taipei Baseball Association chairperson election saw former Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chi-Hui fail to secure even a standing director position despite heavy investment and initial support from President Lai Qing-De. Instead, an almost unknown female dark horse emerged victorious—what forces enabled her to sway Lai’s support? This year’s most popular department in NTU’s admissions isn’t EE or CS. A previously obscure program attracted 522 applicants for just 20 spots, reaching a 26x application ratio—tripling in popularity within two years. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang publicly endorsed talent from such fields as ideal for the AI era. Typhoon Baito will pass near northern Taiwan’s waters from Friday to Sunday, with the highest probability of impact on Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Yilan—over 30% chance in some areas. Whether Friday will be a holiday depends on the storm’s final path. As the Lunar July 'Ghost Month' approaches, feng shui experts highlight three zodiac signs whose fortunes will rise unexpectedly. Dr. Li Wei-Yu, a renowned neurosurgeon who served in Taichung’s Dajia for 30 years, had all his clinics and surgeries canceled due to a failed contract negotiation. This suspension significantly impacts medical resources along Taichung’s coastal region, with conflicting accounts from both sides. Who’s at fault remains unclear. Seniors aged 65+—get ready to receive money! One county announces a '6,500 NTD Mid-Autumn Bonus,' with three more bonus payments planned for next year. Keelung residents aged 65 and above: a cash gift is coming this Mid-Autumn Festival. Keelung City’s 'Changle 65 Project' offers 6,500 NTD per eligible senior. This is just the first phase—next year, the city plans to disburse the same amount during Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn Festivals, totaling three payments annually. However, eligibility criteria, residency duration, and application procedures are still being finalized and not yet publicly announced. Beyond cash benefits, Keelung Stadium’s renovation is nearing completion, including a future 24-hour parking facility. Seniors and families should monitor official announcements to confirm eligibility... Click for full report. Behind the Scenes: Why Is the Baseball Association Chairperson Zhou Ling-Wen? 'He' Convinced Lai Qing-De—Kuo Chi-Hui’s Campaign Was in Vain. Baseball Association elections are always a battleground for political and corporate influence—and this time was no exception. Former Minister Kuo Chi-Hui invested heavily and leveraged media attention, with President Lai Qing-De initially expressing support. However, CTBC Group already controlled over 60% of the association’s members. Kuo failed to even secure a standing director seat, let alone qualify for chairperson. The key to his defeat? An almost unknown female dark horse. Her rise was powered by a critical force that successfully persuaded Lai Qing-De... Click for full report. Not EE or CS! NTU’s 2026 Most Popular Department Hits 26x Application Ratio—Huang Ren-Xun Endorses Its Bright Future. The 115th academic year NTU admissions saw a major shift. The most applied-to department this year wasn’t EE or CS, but a previously overlooked program. It drew 522 applicants for 20 spots—26x ratio—with applications nearly tripling in two years. Notably, Jensen Huang recently highlighted that top AI-era talent aligns closely with this department’s core competencies. This trend may be reshaping how Taiwanese students view future career paths... Click for full report. Weather Forecast: Will Friday Be a Typhoon Holiday? Heavy Rain for 3 Days—Northern Cities Face Highest Risk. Typhoon Baito’s path remains uncertain, but its impact timeline on Taiwan is becoming clearer. Meteorologists say it will pass near northern Taiwan’s waters from Friday to Sunday, bringing heavier rain to western regions, cooler temperatures, and strong gusts island-wide. The highest risk of direct impact is in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, and Yilan—over 30% in some areas. Whether Friday qualifies for a holiday depends on the storm’s path. Uncertainty increases after Day 5—greater northward deviation means less impact. Continued monitoring is essential... Click for full report. Get Rich During Ghost Month! 3 Zodiac Signs See Financial Boom—With Help from Lucky Stars. Most people approach Lunar July cautiously, fearing bad luck. But feng shui expert Teacher Wang says three zodiac signs will actually see rising fortunes this year. Thanks to favorable elemental alignments, trines, and harmonies, these signs may experience breakthroughs in performance, connections with mentors, or side income during the Monkey month. The luckiest sign is advised not to be overly conservative—act when the time is right, but avoid getting carried away by profits... Click for full report. Behind the Scenes: What Does the AIT Photo Mean? The Legendary U.S. Patrol Vessel Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder with Taiwan’s Coast Guard. This AIT photo carries deeper political signals than meets the eye. In June, China sent a large number of 'law enforcement' vessels into Taiwan’s eastern waters—83% more than the previous month east of the median line, with Kinmen facing weekly harassment. At this critical moment, AIT broke precedent by posting a Facebook image of U.S. and Taiwanese vessels sailing side by side—the vessel in question is the 'Legend-class' patrol ship, built to 90% military standards, with armaments comparable to Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Insiders say this U.S. move was no accident. It involves the legal implications of U.S.-Taiwan MOUs, whether China can continue expanding authority in Taiwan’s economic waters under the guise of law enforcement, and how far the U.S. Coast Guard can practically support Taiwan... Click for full report. Will Taiwan’s Day-Trading Tax Break End? Engineer Reveals 'Root Cause' of Low Wages: 5% Wealth Tax Won’t Fix K-Shaped Economy. Taiwan’s Q2 GDP growth may hit 12.92%, but behind the numbers lies another truth. While tech salaries soar, most workers see little benefit—the K-shaped economy gap widens. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee proposes four measures: wealth tax, ending day-trading tax cuts, etc., to narrow inequality. But an engineer argues these miss the mark. Taiwan’s low-wage issue has deeper structural roots. Tax changes may not only fail but backfire. His full analysis... Click for full report. A 30-Year Doctor Suddenly Leaves! Renowned Neurosurgeon 'Forced Unemployment'—Clinics and Surgeries Halted. Dr. Li Wei-Yu, a neurosurgeon at Taichung’s Li General Hospital in Dajia, had all his appointments and surgeries canceled after a failed contract renewal—effectively 'forced unemployment.' After his son posted online, the incident sparked local outcry. Many patients, some across three generations, relied on Dr. Li. Both sides offer conflicting accounts—why did a July agreement fall apart? With fewer than 900 neurosurgeons nationwide, this suspension severely impacts coastal Taichung’s healthcare. Patients with scheduled surgeries or long-term follow-ups are most affected. How both parties will protect patient rights is detailed inside... Click for full report. Buffet lovers, don’t just know Aji and Islandia! Foodies rave about a 'hidden gem' buffet: high value, rich ingredients, top-tier seafood and drinks. The buffet market buzzes, but true value lies in hidden gems. This restaurant, with over 6,000 Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating, offers over 200 international dishes and 18 drink options. Seafood ranges from oysters and snow crabs to fresh sashimi. Even the wine list is hailed as 'the best among all buffets.' Priced from 1,490 NTD (weekday lunch) to 2,090 NTD (holiday dinner), it’s upscale yet highly revisit-worthy—many say it’s the hardest to book lately... Click for full report.