As the Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner, we would like to wish our viewers a happy and joyful Spring Festival.
Before heading home for family reunions or planning holiday outings, let's take a look at this week's major news:
Winter nourishment season arrives, with locally grown New Taipei yam becoming a healthy choice for Lunar New Year dishes;
The first phase of the TRA Jiji Line service resumes, offering a relaxing railway and cycling travel option for the holiday;
Lunar New Year care services continue without interruption in Taipei, with long-term care support maintained and eligibility for hiring foreign caregivers further relaxed for severely ill households;
New regulations on unlicensed driving take effect, with mandatory safety courses and increased fines;
And the year's first confirmed case of Hantavirus infection, prompting health authorities to remind the public to strengthen rodent prevention during year-end cleaning.
Let's take a closer look at this week's top stories.

【1】Yam for Winter Nourishment: Local Flavors Welcome the New Year
As temperatures drop and families prepare festive meals, the New Taipei City Department of Agriculture recommends yam—one of the city's “Healthy Trio”—as a nutritious choice for winter nourishment and Lunar New Year dishes.
Yams grown in areas such as Shuangxi, Pingxi, Gongliao, Ruifang, and Sanzhi are known for their smooth texture and rich dietary fiber. They are suitable for soups and sweet dishes, offering a light and healthy option.
The department noted that local farmers' associations now offer fresh produce and processed yam products, making it easier for families to prepare healthy New Year meals while supporting local agriculture.

【2】Jiji Line Resumes Service: A Perfect Choice for Holiday Slow Travel
The first phase of service on the TRA Jiji Line has resumed, providing a new slow-travel option for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Passing through Nantou's mountain towns, the journey offers scenic views and a relaxing ride. After arriving in Jiji, visitors can stroll through the old street, explore historic buildings, or relax at cafés in renovated traditional houses.
The route is also ideal for cycling along the green corridor beside the railway. With future restoration work, more routes will be connected to create a more complete railway tourism experience.

【3】Lunar New Year Care Continues: Taipei Long-Term Care Services Remain Available
For families caring for elderly individuals with disabilities or seriously ill patients, the Lunar New Year can be especially challenging.
The Taipei City Department of Health announced that long-term care services will continue uninterrupted from Lunar New Year's Eve through the fifth day of the holiday, ensuring ongoing support for families in need.
Under revised regulations, eligibility for applying for foreign caregivers has been expanded for severely ill households through a more flexible assessment system. For more information, the public may call the 1966 long-term care hotline.

【4】New Rules on Unlicensed Driving Take Effect
To reduce traffic accident risks, revised traffic regulations have officially come into force.
Under the new rules, drivers caught operating vehicles without a license will face higher fines, vehicle impoundment, and mandatory participation in traffic safety courses at their own expense.
The Highway Administration stated that unlicensed driving cases have continued to rise, and the new measures aim to combine penalties with education to improve overall road safety.

【5】First Hantavirus Case Confirmed This Year: Rodent Prevention Urged During Year-End Cleaning
The Centers for Disease Control reported the first confirmed case of Hantavirus syndrome in Taiwan this year, linked to rodent activity near the patient's residence.
Health authorities reminded the public that Hantavirus infection often occurs through contact with or inhalation of dust contaminated by rodent excrement. During year-end cleaning, proper rodent prevention measures are essential.
When cleaning, people should wear masks and gloves, keep indoor areas well ventilated, and disinfect surfaces with diluted bleach before cleanup. Anyone experiencing unexplained fever or respiratory symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare providers of possible exposure.

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As the New Year approaches, we wish our viewers peace, good health, and renewed energy in the year ahead.