Pingtung mayor, official sentenced for corruption
Pingtung mayor, official sentenced for corruptionBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Pingtung District Court on Friday sentenced Pingtung Mayor Lin Hsieh-sung (林協松) and Pingtung City Council Speaker Hsiao Kuo-liang (蕭國亮) to several years in prison for corruption. It sentenced Lin to seven years in jail and Hsiao to four years and two months. As Lin was convicted of corruption, he is to be removed as mayor under the Local Government Act (地方制度法), but Pingtung County Government officials said that the formal removal of Lin would not start until they receive the official ruling from the court. Two other defendants, a Pingtung County Council administrator surnamed Yeh (葉) and a contractor surnamed Chou (周), were also convicted on corruption charges, with Yeh receiving a seven-year plus six-month sentence and Chou a three-year jail term. The previous mayor, Lin Ya-chun (林亞?
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Taiwan in Time: Down with the ‘father’s rights first’ provisions
It was the first interpretation by the grand justices to declare gender inequality unconstitutional. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons“These laws have tormented women for 63 years, and the grand justices should not allow it to go on for another two years. In 1975, the government invited experts to examine how to update the Civil Code’s family law section to better reflect modern values in a changing society. Like Liang, Chang went into hiding with her daughter, who was adamant that she wanted to stay with her mother. Since Chang and her husband were still married, they both retained parental rights over the child — unless she could prove that her husband abused such rights.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
EVA cluster over, CECC says
EVA cluster over, CECC saysStaff writer, with CNAA small cluster of COVID-19 infections involving EVA Airways Corp (長榮航空) pilots is under control, while a cluster linked to a preschool has likely run its course, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Central Epidemic Command CenterChen said it was “case closed” for the small cluster of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Once the test results of the last batch of 100 contacts come back today, the CECC would be able to determine whether the cluster was under control, he said. The clusters were not linked, as the groups contracted genetically distinct versions of the Delta variant, Chen said. The CECC reported six new imported COVID-19 cases.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
US dollar reaches three-week high on upbeat data
US dollar reaches three-week high on upbeat dataReutersThe US dollar climbed to three-week peaks on Friday, still benefiting from better-than-expected US retail sales data released on Thursday that backed expectations for a reduction of asset purchases by the US Federal Reserve before the end of the year. The index rose 0.7 percent for the week. The US dollar on Friday rose 0.2 percent against the Swiss franc at SF0.9299, after earlier hitting a five-month high. The greenback rose 0.3 percent to ￥110.025. The US dollar also rose to a two-week high against the offshore yuan and was up 0.1 percent at 6.4642.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Asian shares mixed as global growth fears nag
Asian shares mixed as global growth fears nagReuters, HONG KONGAsian shares steadied on Friday after losses earlier in the week, but China jitters and global growth concerns weighed on investors’ minds, while the US dollar sat near a three-week high. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.25 percent to 203.32, but was down 1.6 percent for the week. The index fell 4.9 percent for the week. The previously bruised Hang Seng Tech Index rose 2.8 percent on Friday. The benchmark index rose 0.4 percent weekly.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
France recalls US, Australia envoys
France recalls US, Australia envoysReuters, PARIS, CANBERRA and WASHINGTONFrance on Friday plunged into an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with Australia and the US after it recalled its ambassadors from both countries over a trilateral security deal that sank a French-designed submarine contract with Canberra. French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian attends a meeting at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade building in Budapest on Friday last week. France on Friday recalled its ambassadors to the US and Australia. Photo: AFPA diplomatic source in France said it was the first time that Paris had recalled its own ambassadors in this way. Yesterday morning, Australia said it regretted the recall, and that it valued the relationship with France and would keep engaging with Paris on other issues.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Miaoli quarantine hotel fined over poor sanitation
Miaoli quarantine hotel fined over poor sanitationBy Yang Mien-chieh and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Miaoli County Government fined a COVID-19 quarantine hotel for poor sanitation and inadequate service, it said on Friday, after the Consumers’ Foundation publicized complaints about the venue. Guests who stayed at the hotel as part of their mandatory 14-day quarantines have lodged multiple complaints about the establishment, the foundation said. The Miaoli County Culture and Tourism Bureau said that inspectors were dispatched to evaluate the hotel in response to the complaints. The establishment was fined and its license to operate as a quarantine hotel is to be suspended from Thursday next week, it said. The bureau said that the hotel can reapply for a license after it makes efforts to bring its facilities up to the required sanitation code.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
European Soccer: Steve Bruce is convinced Newcastle will recover
European Soccer: Steve Bruce is convinced Newcastle will recoverReuters, NEWCASTLE, EnglandNewcastle United manager Steve Bruce on Friday was adamant that his side would claw their way out of the Premier League relegation zone after a 1-1 home draw against Leeds United left them still looking for their first win of the season. A man holds an image depicting Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce in the stands during their Premier League game against Leeds United at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Friday. Leeds United substitute Crysencio Summerville, right, and Newcastle United substitute Emil Krafth vie for the ball during their Premier League match at St James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Friday. “If I’m being honest, I enjoyed the game, and let’s be honest, it could have gone either way,” he said. “It was like when you play at school, it was end-to-end and to be fair to Leeds they force you into that way.”
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
European shares fall for the third week in a row
European shares fall for the third week in a rowReutersEuropean stocks fell on Friday, capping their third straight week in the red, as the basic resources sector was hit by declines in Anglo American PLC, but news that the UK was mulling easing travel restrictions boosted airlines and hotel groups. The European mining index was also hit by worries about slowing growth in China, falling nearly 8 percent for the week. London’s miner-heavy FTSE 100 index shed 0.9 percent, while German stocks fell 1 percent. Most regional indices were pressured this week on worries about slowing global growth and tighter regulation of Chinese firms. The index closed 2.7 percent higher for the week, leading gains across European sectors.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Wall St falls after rollercoaster week
Inflation is likely to be a major issue next week, when the US Federal Open Markets Committee holds its two-day monetary policy meeting. For the week, fell less than 0.1 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.6 percent and the NASDAQ shed 0.5 percent. The S&P 500 ended below its 50-day moving average, which in recent history has proven a rather sturdy support level. Of the 11 major sectors in the S&P 500, all but healthcare ended in the red, with materials and utilities suffering the biggest percentage drops. The S&P 500 posted seven new 52-week highs and two new lows; the NASDAQ Composite recorded 67 new highs and 82 new lows.
Source:Taipei Times
September 18, 2021 11:15 UTC
Options to transform the Chiang memorial
Options to transform the Chiang memorialBy Liou Je-wei 劉哲瑋The Transitional Justice Commission last week announced a plan to transform the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, triggering debate at home and abroad. Ogasawara also argued that from the perspective of a foreign visitor to Taiwan, the memorial hall provides an excellent educational opportunity about Taiwan’s democratic transition. It is entirely proper that, in accordance with the legal remit of the commission, all authoritarian symbols in the complex should be amended. Finally, a way must be found to prevent the restoration of authoritarian symbols and iconography following a future transition of political power. The memorial was renamed National Democracy Memorial Hall by former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), but then changed back to its current name by his successor, former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 16:07 UTC
Bangladesh’s transgender tycoons create safe work
Bangladesh’s transgender tycoons create safe workAFP, DHAKASimran Snigdha was begging when a chance encounter helped get her off Bangladesh’s streets and realize her artistic dreams — one of a growing number of transgender people securing formal employment as the government boosts support for the marginalized community. A transgender person works at the Bhuyan Fashion garment factory owned by Siddik Bhuyan Synthia in Dhaka on June 24. Photo: AFP“I didn’t get the opportunity — I had to extort people ... and did prostitution,” Snigdha said at a garment factory in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. Staring back was transgender factory owner Siddik Bhuyan Synthia — who asked her to join the business. At her garment factory in Dhaka, she employs only transgender people.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 16:07 UTC
China’s true fears in Afghanistan
China’s true fears in AfghanistanBy Kok BayraqWith the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, China has remarketed its East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) concerns. Undoubtedly, China fears that its own criminal record against Islam, including its ongoing genocide against Uighur Muslims, might be disclosed. “The Uighurs are Chinese citizens, and all citizens should have equal rights, and so should the Uighurs,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said. The implied condition in the statement is a policy change by China toward Uighur Muslims. All these possibilities and concerns are the real source of China’s fears regarding Afghanistan and the Taliban regaining power; it has nothing to do with the ETIM.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 16:07 UTC
EDITORIAL: The KMT’s wasted opportunity
EDITORIAL: The KMT’s wasted opportunityThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on Sept. 4 held a televised debate between candidates for its chairperson election. However, by far the biggest issue of contention is the KMT’s insistence on Taiwanese being “Chinese” and that Taiwan must remain friendly toward the Chinese Communist Party. During the debate, Sun Yat-sen School president Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), another candidate, said that if elected, he would seek a peace treaty with Beijing, should the KMT win the presidency. This is the KMT’s core problem — its fundamental inability to detach itself from China, despite majority public opinion. If the KMT is to ever win the presidency or at least be a viable opposition party, it must rethink its views on China.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 16:07 UTC
‘Ghost kitchens’ boom in Asia as pandemic sparks huge demand
The recent boom in food delivery apps meant customers were already used to having restaurant quality meals quickly delivered to their homes. To meet that demand a growing number of restaurants set up delivery only kitchens — also known as “cloud kitchens” — or rented space in ones. Grab opened 20 new cloud kitchens in Southeast Asia last year, up from 42 before the pandemic. Earlier this year they opened their first cloud kitchen on the outskirts of Bangkok, with plans for two more. After recently retiring from Air India, Nirjash Roy Chowdhury, sunk his savings into setting up a cloud kitchen in Mumbai.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC