SinoPac granted patents for image recognition system
SinoPac granted patents for image recognition systemBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterSinoPac Holdings Co (永豐金控) has gained patents for its artificial-intelligence (AI) image recognition technology, which could help its banking unit save at least 1,000 hours per year in examining credit documents, it said yesterday. The company in July applied for 10 patents for its AI image recognition system and the Intellectual Property Office approved them on Thursday last week. Bank SinoPac (永豐銀行) has connected the AI image recognition system to its core information system to identify credit documents provided by its debtors, the bank said in a statement. The time-consuming inspection used to be done manually, but the AI system is expected to help the bank save at least 1,000 hours a year, it added. “The system’s accuracy rate could be as high as 95 percent and it can identify checks in multiple formats adopted by 20 local banks,” Bank SinoPac said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2021 03:59 UTC
Bottled water, vaccines and electric vehicles propel China’s biggest earners
Bottled water, vaccines and electric vehicles propel China’s biggest earnersCHANGING FORTUNES: Former No. 5, while Hoshine Silicon CEO Luo Liguo jumped from 220th to the 21st spot on the Hurun China Rich ListReuters, HONG KONGBottled water, vaccine development, short-video platform TikTok and electric vehicle technology propelled the big earners on China’s rich list this year, as embattled property moguls and others facing regulatory scrutiny slipped down the rankings. The biggest mover in the top 100 was Luo Liguo (羅立國), chief executive of solar product firm Hoshine Silicon Industry Co (合盛矽業), who multiplied his net worth 6.5 times, vaulting from 220th to 21st spot. 1 spot next year, particularly if persistent rumors about the owner of short-video platform TikTok listing are realized, the Hurun Report said. Zhang “is a likely candidate to become the next Number One in China, especially if he gets to list ByteDance,” Hurun Report chairman Rupert Hoogewerf said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2021 02:30 UTC
CECC reports eight imported cases as more vaccine lands
CECC reports eight imported cases as more vaccine landsStaff writer, with CNAThe Central Epidemic Command Center yesterday reported eight new COVID-19 cases, all contracted overseas, but no deaths from the disease. Since Aug. 15, the daily number of domestic cases has fallen to mostly single digits. The total number of domestic cases since Aug. 15 is 122, center data showed. Meanwhile, a sixth shipment of COVID-19 vaccines donated by Japan, consisting of 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, arrived in Taiwan yesterday. Yesterday’s donation brings the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by Tokyo to 4.2 million, the most doses donated to Taiwan by any nation.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2021 22:12 UTC
Medigen not acceptable for US travel
The new international air travel policy, which is to take effect on Nov. 8, requires all non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before flying to the US. Photo: EPA-EFEVaccines accepted under the travel policy are those approved or authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and vaccines that have been approved for emergency use by the WHO. Some travelers are exempt from the new policy, including children younger than 18 years old and certain COVID-19 vaccine trial participants. Meanwhile, the WHO yesteday announced the launch of the cosponsored Solidarity Trial Vaccines with the ministries of health of Colombia, Mali and the Philippines. Medigen is among the candidate vaccines in the trial, the WHO said in a statement.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2021 04:09 UTC
Taiwan, Slovakia to gain from enhanced cooperation: Wu
Taiwan, Slovakia to gain from enhanced cooperation: WuBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterTaiwan and Slovakia have much to gain from enhanced cooperation on trade, investment and industry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said in Bratislava yesterday. Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu speaks at a Taiwan Forum hosted by Slovak think tank GLOBSEC in Bratislava yesterday. The pandemic has brought Taiwan and Slovakia closer, Wu said, underscoring the two countries’ democratic transformations. The ministry’s Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Scholarship is to be extended to Slovak students interested in pursuing degrees in key industries, Wu added. And democracy will not be defeated.”Taiwan and Slovakia have signed several agreements, including on preventing double taxation, exchange of drivers’ licenses, working holidays and economic cooperation, the ministry said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2021 02:27 UTC
Military unveils locally developed exoskeleton suit
Military unveils locally developed exoskeleton suitStaff writer, with CNAThe military yesterday unveiled a locally made powered exoskeleton suit, a mechanized wearable system designed to be used in wartime or during post-disaster rescue and relief missions. A soldier models a new powered exoskeleton suit unveiled by the military in Taipei yesterday. According to a budget proposal issued by the Ministry of National Defense, the military-use powered exoskeleton suit is part of a four-year NT$158 million (US$5.67 million) project running from last year to 2023. A source said the military is hoping the high-tech suits can be used during wartime and in post-disaster rescue and relief missions. The project has learned from the US military’s experience in developing its own powered exoskeleton suit, the source said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2021 22:11 UTC
Chiu denies military morale is low
Chiu denies military morale is lowBy Chen Yun and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerMinister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) yesterday denied a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Monday that suggested that Taiwan’s military would be no match for China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Photo: Mandy Cheng, AFPThe report cited the officials as saying they believed morale was low in Taiwan’s military and that its preparations for a Chinese attack were inadequate. The military would continuously aim to strengthen its combat abilities, he said, adding that military preparedness was an ongoing task. The quality of Taiwan’s professional military training, the integration of branches of the military and its use of technology far exceed that of the PLA, he said. “If you want to talk about morale, the family members of Taiwan’s military personnel live here in Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2021 22:10 UTC
Legislature confirms six nominees for election body
Legislature confirms six nominees for election bodyROUGH SAILING: The KMT boycotted the vote, while the two smaller parties voted against the confirmation of the election commission head for another termStaff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan yesterday confirmed the Executive Yuan’s nominations of Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) and Chen Chao-chien (陳朝建) for another four-year term as chairman and vice chairman respectively of the Central Election Commission (CEC). The four-year terms of six incumbent commission members are set to expire on Wednesday next week, and the Cabinet submitted a list of six nominees to fill those positions. Of the nominees, who were initially approved by legislative committees on Sept. 29, four are incumbents — including the CEC chairman and vice chairman — and two are new members. Staff at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei tally counts on a whiteboard yesterday after lawmakers voted to confirm the Executive Yuan’s six nominees for Central Election Commission members, including the chairman and vice chairman. The six confirmed members are to serve from Thursday next week to Nov. 3, 2025.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2021 21:59 UTC
Australia would follow US lead on Taiwan: minister
Australia would follow US lead on Taiwan: ministerBy William Hetherington / Staff writer, with CNAAustralia would act according to the US response in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, Australian Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said in an interview with Sky News yesterday. Equally, the United States has been clear about their intention toward Taiwan,” Dutton said. A file photo of Peter Dutton. China’s actions have been a concern and Australia wants its neighbors to be free of coercion, interference or bullying, he said. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between the US, India, Japan and Australia, and ASEAN are also important for stability, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2021 01:05 UTC
KMT would safeguard peace: Chu
For 100 years, Taiwan’s history has been inextricably tied to the ROC, Chu said. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu, right, looks on as Taiwan Republic Office director Chilly Chen is removed during a speech at Taipei’s Zhongshan Hall yesterday marking the 76th anniversary of Retrocession Day. It was the hard work of the KMT that led to the protection, strengthening and democratization of Taiwan,” he said. Chu said that Taiwan had been a part of the ROC since 1945 when the Japanese surrendered the island and relinquished control. Explaining his “four safeguards,” Chu said the KMT would “safeguard the Constitution; safeguard the democracy and freedom that comprised the spirit behind the nation’s founding; safeguard the safety, peace and prosperity of the 23 million Taiwanese; and safeguard the dignity of the ROC and the facts regarding its history.”Chu said that if the KMT returns to power, he would make Taiwan Retrocession Day a national holiday.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2021 22:00 UTC
Taiwan to speak on EVs at US-India business forum
Taiwan to speak on EVs at US-India business forumSHARING EXPERTISE: Taiwanese experts are to join a range of high-profile speakers at the annual meeting to discuss security, healthcare and the economyStaff writer, with CNATaiwanese officials and experts are to speak on how the country developed its electric vehicle (EV) supply chain at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF), an annual event organized by the US and India. The forum, which is in its fourth year, is to take place virtually this year on Thursday and Friday. The panelists are to share how Taiwan has worked with like-minded partners to build a resilient EV supply chain, and how the country is accelerating research and development in the field, the agenda said. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk is to open the session with remarks, while AIT Deputy Economic Chief Arati Shroff is to moderate. Taiwan External Trade Development Council chairman James Huang (黃志芳), Industrial Technology Research Institute vice president James Wang (王漢英) and Joan Shen, managing director of domestic electric vehicle manufacturer Tangeng Advanced Vehicles, are to speak at the session.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2021 16:20 UTC
Graduates facing lower pay, longer unemployment
Graduates facing lower pay, longer unemploymentStaff Writer, with CNAUniversity graduates this year experienced the longest gap between graduation and employment in nine years, a survey showed yesterday. The poll conducted by jobhunting Web site yes123 showed that graduates waited an average of 2.8 months, or 84 days, following graduation before securing a full-time job. Eighty-one percent of them said they had been subject to a period of trial employment, the study showed. Of those, 70 percent underwent a three-month trial period, 15.6 percent had a one-month trial period and 9.8 percent received a two-week assessment, it showed. Monthly salaries for first-time employees averaged NT$30,660 this year, 0.3 percent lower than the NT$30,749 recorded last year, the survey showed.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2021 03:54 UTC
Xpeng to go beyond road vehicles with AI, robots, flying car
Xpeng to go beyond road vehicles with AI, robots, flying carBloombergChinese electric vehicle startup Xpeng Inc (小鵬) unveiled details of new products and features, including an assisted driving system, a faster charging infrastructure and a flying car, as it signaled its intent to expand from its auto-manufacturing roots. The company also plans to partner with others to explore robo-taxi operations that would also start next year. Xpeng also presented a road map for its comprehensive charging network, which includes a mass-produced silicon carbide high-voltage fast charging platform and a geographically expanded charging facility deployment. The company also showed designs for a low-altitude flying car developed by its affiliate HT Aero (小鵬匯天), which raised more than US$500 million and is expected to start mass production in 2024. The prototype of a robot horse, equipped with bionic senses and multi-mode recognition technologies, is also part of Xpeng’s product lineup.
Source:Taipei Times
October 25, 2021 02:28 UTC
Ecuadoran sprinter Alex Quinonez shot dead at 32
Ecuadoran sprinter Alex Quinonez shot dead at 32AFP, QUITOEcuadoran Olympic sprinter Alex Quinonez was shot dead in the port city of Guayaquil, authorities have said, sparking an outpouring of grief in a country struggling to contain a surge in violence. Quinonez, 32, and another person were found dead close to midnight on Friday, police said. Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso promised to bring the sprinter’s killers to justice. Relatives carry the coffin of Alex Quinonez at a funeral home in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday. Ecuador’s Alex Quinonez celebrates on the podium after taking bronze in the World Athletic Championships men’s 200m final at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Oct. 2, 2019.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2021 20:30 UTC
COVID-19: Virus cases in eastern Europe near 20 million
COVID-19: Virus cases in eastern Europe near 20 millionReutersCOVID-19 cases in eastern Europe are soon to surpass 20 million, according to a Reuters tally yesterday, as the region grapples with its worst outbreak since the pandemic started and inoculation efforts lag. Countries in the region have the lowest vaccination rates in Europe, with less than half of the population having received a single dose. Although it has just 4 percent of the world’s population, eastern Europe accounts for about 20 percent of all new cases reported globally. More than 40 percent of all new cases reported in eastern Europe were in Russia, with 120 people testing positive every five minutes, according to a Reuters analysis. Slovakia reported 3,480 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, its highest daily tally since March, health ministry data showed on Wednesday.
Source:Taipei Times
October 24, 2021 17:31 UTC