MOFA urges EU to pursue trade ties after report
MOFA urges EU to pursue trade ties after reportMATTER OF SECURITY: The EU adopted a report that addresses the threat from China’s recent military buildup and called for trade relations with TaiwanBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday urged the EU to start preparations for negotiating a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan, after the bloc expressed its intention to boost cooperation with Taiwan in semiconductors and other areas. The EU on Thursday adopted a Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, after the European Council on April 19 approved the strategy. In the report, the EU said it intends to increase engagements with Indo-Pacific partners, based on promoting democracy, the rule of law, human rights and universally agreed commitments, such as those related to sustainable development and climate change. EU flags billow outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on May 5. The EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation report passed by the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sept. 1 also recommended the bloc start preparations for an investment pact with Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Harper homers as Phillies rally past Cubs
Harper homers as Phillies rally past CubsAP, PHILADELPHIABryce Harper keeps earning those “MVP” chants in Philly. Harper on Thursday doubled to start a seven-run, game-tying rally in the fourth inning, doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth and sealed the Philadelphia Phillies’ 17-8 win over the Chicago Cubs with a three-run homer in the seventh. Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three-run homer against the Chicago Cubs in their MLB game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. Harper hit again in the fourth against 14-game winner Kyle Hendricks — Andrew McCutchen’s two-RBI double made it 7-5 — and walked to load the bases with two outs in his second at-bat of the inning. Harper hit his 33rd homer of the season into the second deck in the seventh, a three-run shot off Rex Brothers for 15-8 lead.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
China’s quarterly GDP growth near zero: analyst
Barraud was Bloomberg’s top-ranked forecaster for the Chinese economy last year. Barraud is also bearish on China’s growth for this year compared to the market’s median estimate of 8.4 percent. Barraud’s prediction came after monthly data showed China’s economy slowing sharply last month, with a slump in retail sales and property construction. The France-based economist said that one of his favorite indicators of Chinese economic activity at the moment is the daily number of domestic flights. In the second quarter, GDP rose 7.9 percent from the same period last year, and 1.3 percent from the previous quarter.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Pakistan stunned as NZ abandon tour
Pakistan stunned as NZ abandon tourSECURITY ALERT: Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment, while former bowler Shoaib Akhtar wrote on Twitter: ‘NZ just killed Pakistan cricket’AP, RAWALPINDI, PakistanNew Zealand yesterday abandoned their cricket tour of Pakistan over security concerns that mystified the hosts, just before the Black Caps’ first scheduled match in Pakistan in 18 years. “Following an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisers on the ground, it has been decided the Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” NZC said on its Web site. NZC chief executive David White said the advice he received made the tour impossible to continue and he was supported by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association. Pakistan was a no-go zone for international cricket teams for a decade after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. The ambush killed seven people and injured several Sri Lanka cricketers, including Thilan Samaraweera, who is among the New Zealand tour management as batting coach.
Source:Taipei Times
September 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Vectura shareholders back takeover by Philip Morris
Vectura shareholders back takeover by Philip MorrisReutersCigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc (PMI) has clinched a ￡1 billion (US$1.38 billion) takeover of inhaler maker Vectura Group PLC after winning the backing of about 75 percent of the British company’s shareholders. Vectura shareholders had until Wednesday to decide whether to support the ￡1.65 per share bid from Philip Morris, which sought to buy the London-listed asthma drug maker as part of its plan to go “smoke-free” and switch to healthcare and wellness products. A Philip Morris logo is pictured on a factory in Serrieres near Neuchatel, Switzerland, on Dec. 8. The switch allowed PMI to require the support of holders of slightly more than 50 percent of Vectura shares for the deal to go through. The US-based company has also extended the deadline to Sept. 30 for the remaining Vectura shareholders to tender their shares.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Jewish community leader dies aged 103
Jewish community leader dies aged 103Staff Writer, with CNAEphraim Ferdinand Einhorn, a local Jewish leader, died at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei on Wednesday after a long illness, the Taiwan Jewish Community said. Einhorn, who died three days after his 103rd birthday, had for many years been a much-respected spiritual leader of the community, the group said in a statement. Einhorn, who was born in Vienna in 1918, was trained as a rabbi in London. Besides officiating at religious services, he also ran a business, World Patent Trading Co, that developed corporate promotional giveaways. He was also a participant in the local expatriate community, holding memberships in the Rotary Club, American Club, American Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Housing affordability drawing home buyers to New Taipei City: report
An aerial photograph shows commercial and residential buildings in New Taipei City on Sept. 5. Photo: Lai Hsiao-tung, Taipei TimesImprovements in infrastructure and the relative affordability of homes accounted for the changes, it added. Housing prices in Taipei are approximately 15.54 times the median annual household income, compared with 12.25 times in New Taipei City, the company said, citing first-quarter statistics from the Ministry of the Interior. Relative housing affordability and the expansion of MRT lines have made New Taipei City a popular choice for residence, the developer said. Given the growth trend, rezoned areas in New Taipei City are in need of new elementary and junior high schools to accommodate new students, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Yilan high-speed rail link to rely on consent: MOTC
Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, right, in Taipei yesterday receives a statement from Yilan County Council Speaker Chang Chien-rong saying that Yilan Station would be the best location for the terminus for a planned high-speed rail extension line to Yilan County. “The high-speed rail extension line was proposed to facilitate transportation between the west and east coasts, and ease traffic congestion inside the Hsuehshan Tunnel on the National Chiang Wei-shui Freeway [Freeway No.5],” Wang said. A consulting firm hired by the ministry recommended four possible terminal stations — adjacent to Yilan Station, Luodong Station, Sicheng Station or at a yet-to-be built station near the Yilan County Government building. However, people only take the high-speed rail once in a while, not every day. Yilan County Commissioner Lin Tzu-miao (林姿妙) of the KMT and former acting Yilan County commissioner Chen Chin-te (陳金德) said that they support the station near the Yilan County Government building as the terminus.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Australia approves controversial coal project as climate warnings mount
Australia approves controversial coal project as climate warnings mountAFP, SYDNEYAustralia yesterday approved a controversial coal mine extension, doubling down on a commitment to continue extracting fossil fuels, despite growing pressure to cut carbon emissions. However, while the federal judge ruled that the government must take into account the damage the project would do to the group’s health, wealth and well-being, he rejected their calls for an injunction to stop the project outright. “The minister has a duty to take reasonable care to avoid causing personal injury to the children when deciding ... to approve or not approve the extension project,” Justice Mordy Bromberg found. Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of coal and natural gas, but has also suffered under increasingly extreme climate-fueled droughts, floods and bushfires in recent years. A study published in the journal Nature last week found that 89 percent of global coal reserves — and 95 percent of Australia’s share — must be left untouched to address the climate crisis.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
DPP seeks action on trade pact before 2022
DPP seeks action on trade pact before 2022By Chien Hui-ju and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwan should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before China becomes a member of the trade group, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said yesterday. Taiwan would lose its shot at joining if China joins the pact, DPP Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) told a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in November last year told an APEC summit that Beijing wants to join the pact. Singapore is to chair the trade pact next year, with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan tapped to take the post, he said, adding that Balakrishnan has voiced support for a Chinese bid. Taiwan must prepare a bid by amending laws, mustering public support and lobbying foreign governments, Chiu said.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Ministry touts ties with AUKUS
“The endeavor we launch today will help sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” they said. The ministry yesterday reiterated its shared values with like-minded partners. Taiwan is in a pivotal position in the first island chain, and has long shared the benefits of regional peace and stability with Australia, the UK, the US and other like-minded states, ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said in a statement. The emergence of AUKUS shows that China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy is not accepted by the international community, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said separately. Countries have to bear China’s dumping practices even as it boosts its military expansionism through economic growth, Tsai said.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Party urges Sports Administration to act on name issue
Party urges Sports Administration to act on name issueBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterSubsidies were provided for an international basketball event in Taiwan, but the nation’s involvement was under the degrading “China, Taipei” label, the Taiwan Statebuilding Party said yesterday, urging the Sports Administration to address the issue. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei, left, and party secretary-general Wang Hsing-huan speak at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesThe “China Taipei” designation is degrading for the nation, Wang told a news conference in Taipei accompanied by Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟). “The games in Taiwan are organized by Forebest, which received financial assistance from the Sports Administration,” Wang said. “The Sports Administration has a responsibility to safeguard the dignity of Taiwanese and must demand that Forebest rectify the nation’s designation,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
COVID-19: Second shots for people over the age of 75 start today
COVID-19: Second shots for people over the age of 75 start todayBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterAdults aged 75 and older who received a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before July 9 are eligible to receive a second dose starting today, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday. Medical staff administer second doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination to people at a vaccination station in Taipei yesterday. Chen confirmed that 1.08 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, as well as about 640,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, would arrive in Taiwan today. On Wednesday, 201,189 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered, of which 39,511 were first doses and 161,678 were second doses, CECC data showed. As of Wednesday, 12,708,428 COVID-19 vaccine doses — 11,483,332 first doses and 1,225,096 second doses — had been given since vaccinations began on March 22, the data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Mayfield delivers strong message to Browns after loss
Mayfield delivers strong message to Browns after lossAP, BEREA, OhioCleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield might have saved his strongest delivery for Sunday’s post-game. Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, right, hands off to running back Nick Chubb in their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday. Photo: AFP“We should have won that game,” Mayfield said he told them. For Mayfield, that last, forced pass seemed to eclipse all of the good ones that he made in a duel with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mayfield was poised to lead the Browns to a comeback win, but came up short.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
European vehicle sales fall further amid chip crunch
European vehicle sales fall further amid chip crunchBloombergAuto sales are deteriorating in Europe, with months of meek recovery giving way to deliveries that no longer even measure up to last year’s pandemic-depressed results. New vehicle registrations fell 18 percent last month and 24 percent in July from a year earlier, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said yesterday. “The chip shortage is causing production losses, and demand that’s actually high can’t be met,” EY said in a note. The declines were broad-based, with Europe’s biggest auto markets — Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain — all seeing double-digit drops each month. Among the largest automakers, European sales fell 14 percent for Volkswagen Group, 29 percent for Stellantis NV and 23 percent for Renault SA last month.
Source:Taipei Times
September 16, 2021 15:56 UTC