Fri Dec 20 08:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Winter Solstice 2024: Good Fortune and Festive Foods, Plus a Cold Snap

**Taipei, Taiwan (December 20, 2024)** – Tomorrow marks the Winter Solstice, a time for family gatherings, ancestral veneration, and according to some, excellent fortune. Feng shui master Lin Lin shared six ways to boost luck in the coming year, including strategically placing red beans under one’s pillow and meditating in a north-facing location. Specific foods, such as small pink and white tangyuan (sweet rice balls) and pig’s feet noodles, are also associated with attracting good fortune and warding off bad luck. The solstice also coincides with auspicious timing for temple visits and home purification rituals.

Meanwhile, the Central Weather Bureau issued a low-temperature advisory for five counties, warning of frigid conditions tomorrow morning. Several astrological forecasts predict increased wealth for certain zodiac signs and constellations during this period.

**Other News:**

* **Workplace Tragedy:** A devastating fire at a Chunghwa supermarket warehouse in Taichung’s Dadu District resulted in nine fatalities and seven injuries. The fire is believed to have been caused by improper welding procedures.
* **Food Safety Concerns:** Consumers have reported issues with delayed orders and unsatisfactory products from a dessert shop, “Gongdian Desserts.”
* **Export Orders Dip:** November’s export orders saw a slight decrease compared to the previous month, but still showed year-on-year growth, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
* **莱姆病 Case:** Taiwan’s first imported case of Lyme disease in 2024 has been confirmed in a French national.
* **Baseball News:** Veteran baseball player Chen Tzu-hao signed a lucrative ten-year contract with the Wei Chuan Dragons.
* **WBSC Expansion:** The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced plans to expand its flagship tournament to 20 teams in 2027.
* **Celebrity Dispute:** A controversy continues to unfold regarding allegations of a celebrity’s disrespectful behavior on a train.
* **Egg Industry Update:** The Taiwan Refined Washed Egg Products Association highlighted the importance of understanding egg production and washing processes, emphasizing improved hygiene and safety standards within the industry.

This report combines information from various sources, including CTWANT, Yahoo News, and Central News Agency, and may not reflect the full context of each individual story.

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