COVID-19: NZ holds rates as Delta variant spreads
COVID-19: NZ holds rates as Delta variant spreadsSUSPENSION: Projections published by the New Zealand central bank shows the official cash rate rising at least once later this year, suggesting an imminent rate hikeBloombergThe Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) yesterday refrained from raising interest rates amid a COVID-19 outbreak and nationwide lockdown, but left little doubt it intends to start lifting them soon. Light traffic travels over Auckland Harbour Bridge during a nationwide lockdown in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. Photo: Bloomberg“The committee discussed the merits of an increase in the OCR at this meeting,” the RBNZ said. Should the lockdown succeed in stamping out community transmission of the virus, the RBNZ could raise rates as soon as its next meeting in October. In its previous forecasts in May, the RBNZ did not expect to start raising rates until the second half of next year.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 16:03 UTC
House prices near science parks surge
House prices near science parks surgeTECH BOOM: Local tech firms are expanding due to surging global demand, creating well-paying jobs and real demand for property near science parks, a study foundBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterHousing prices near Taiwan’s science parks have received a significant boost for the past three years from a global supply chain realignment and local tech firms’ growing importance on the world stage, a study released yesterday by Evertrust Rehouse Co (永慶房屋) showed. The logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is pictured at its facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan on July 29. Housing prices near the Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區) picked up 13.6 percent, averaging NT$242,000 per ping in 2019 and NT$275,000 per ping at present, Chen said. Housing prices near the Jhunan Science Park (竹南科學園區) in Miaoli County increased 11.3 percent, while those near Taichung Science Park (台中科學園區) gained 13 percent, the study found. Taipei’s Neihu Science Park (內湖科技園區) led in terms of transactions with 383 cases in the first half of the year, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 16:03 UTC
Tsai says Taiwan needs to be stronger
Tsai says Taiwan needs to be stronger‘SELF-RELIANCE’: The president said the discussion over Afghanistan leads to the conclusion that Taiwan needs to be more united and more resolute in defenseAFP and Bloomberg, with staff writerAfghanistan’s return to Taliban rule following the withdrawal of US forces shows that Taiwan needs to be “stronger and more united” in ensuring its own defense, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday. The sudden departure of US troops from Kabul has sparked discussion in Taiwan as to whether Washington can be relied upon to come to Taipei’s defense. “Recent changes in the situation in Afghanistan have led to much discussion in Taiwan,” Tsai wrote on Facebook. Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday thanked Washington for reiterating its commitment to Taiwan and other allies. Cooperation between Taiwan, the US and other nations would ensure stability in the Taiwan Strait, she said, adding that Taiwan would continue contributing to lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 16:00 UTC
Facebook, media foundation launch training program
Facebook, media foundation launch training programBy Huang Chao-hsiang and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with staff writerFacebook and the Foundation for Excellent Journalism Award on Wednesday last week announced a new digital training program for local and alternative media, marking the first time that the US tech giant is to directly fund the promotion of local reporting in Taiwan. “The Internet and digital platforms are a lifeline for local media,” foundation chief executive Eve Chiu (邱家宜) said. Facebook has long supported Taiwanese media with trainings and resources provided through the journalism project, said Wu Tzu-min (吳子敏), who manages Facebook’s media partnerships in the region. This is the first time that the social media giant is to provide grants specifically for local and diverse media in Taiwan, Wu said. Facebook has since 2019 been supporting the foundation’s work in encouraging a standard of excellence and professionalism in Taiwanese journalism.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
COVID-19: CECC reports six local, five imported cases, no deaths
COVID-19: CECC reports six local, five imported cases, no deathsBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday reported six locally transmitted COVID-19 infections, five imported cases and no new deaths, while it reiterated Ministry of Foreign Affairs information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements to enter other countries. The infection sources of two cases have been identified and contact tracing is ongoing to clarify the remaining four cases, Chen said. Photo courtesy of the Central Epidemic Command CenterThe five imported cases arrived in Taiwan from the US, Saudi Arabia, India and France, CECC data showed. Chinese-language media reported she was a breakthrough case, but the CECC had not provided details to validate that, it said. Three confirmed cases have been reported linked to the floor she works on, indicating a cluster infection, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
COVID-19: Powell says no returning to pre-pandemic economy
COVID-19: Powell says no returning to pre-pandemic economyAP, WASHINGTONUS Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday said that the US economy has been permanently changed by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is important that the central bank adapts to those changes. “We’re not simply going back to the economy that we had before the pandemic,” Powell said at a Fed virtual town hall for educators and students. US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, left, speaks with former Fed chairman Ben Bernanke at a conference on monetary policy at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on June 4, 2019. “It seems a near certainty that there will be substantially more remote work going forward,” Powell said. The town hall is an event started by former Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and continued by former Fed chair and now US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
KMT’s Afghanistan posts harm US ties, DPP says
KMT’s Afghanistan posts harm US ties, DPP saysAPPLES TO ORANGES? DPP legislative caucus whip Liu Shyh-fang said KMT leaders have sacrificed Taiwan’s interests to back those running for party chairpersonBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterDemocratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday accused leaders of the main opposition parties of tainting Taiwan’s international image and undermining Taiwan-US ties by airing erroneous messages to the world about events in Afghanistan. Democratic Progressive Party legislators hold an online news conference at their legislative caucus office in Taipei yesterday. In the 1970s, the US shifted to play the China card to contain the Soviet Union, so the US military left Taiwan. “It left chaos and the Afghan people in a very dire situation...
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Halep earns injury comeback victory
Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei returns to the US’ Coco Gauff in their Western & Southern Open women’s singles match in Mason, Ohio, on Tuesday. “It means a lot, I’m really happy to win. Romania’s Simona Halep reacts during her Western & Southern Open women’s singles match against Poland’s Magda Linette in Mason, Ohio, on Tuesday. Montreal champion Camila Giorgi fell 6-2, 6-2 in her opening match to Jessica Pegula in a re-run of the pair’s semi-final last Saturday in Canada. “I knew it would be tough, but I’m really happy — as much with the mindset as with the tennis,” Berrettini said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
KMT says US withdrawal proves policy of stay close to US, keep peace with China
KMT says US withdrawal proves policy of stay close to US, keep peace with ChinaBy Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporterThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday said that the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan is proof that the party’s policy of remaining close to Washington while maintaining peace with China is correct. The US’ pullout proves that the KMT’s policy of being “close to the US” and pursuing “peace with the Mainland [China],” while improving Taiwan’s national defense and the economy, is correct, the KMT said. It also shows that the DPP’s avoidance of the institutionalization of cross-strait relations is “by no means a good solution,” it added. On national defense, the KMT accused the DPP of engaging in more talk than action, adding that this has disappointed figures in the US. “Now, because of the changes in the political situation in Afghanistan, Taiwanese are reconsidering the various variables in national security,” the KMT said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Feeding hungry animal ghosts
Some events, such as the one at the Kaohsiung Animal Protection Office, even have special tables that are lower in height so the animals spirits can more easily reach the offerings. “Then I thought, why not do a Chung Yuan pudu ceremony?” he says. New Taipei City’s Animal Protection Office has also opened its pudu ceremonies to the public in recent years, often collaborating with various animal welfare groups. “New Taipei City is the most populous municipality in Taiwan, meaning that people here likely consume a lot more animals. The priests will help the animals’ spirits return to the reincarnation cycle so they don’t linger in the world of the living.”
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Convenience stores take unpaid tolls under NT$30,000
Convenience stores take unpaid tolls under NT$30,000By Shelley Shan / Staff reporterStarting yesterday, motorists who have unpaid freeway tolls of less than NT$30,000 and have received a notice from the Administrative Enforcement Agency can pay them at convenience stores, the Freeway Bureau said on Tuesday. Ninety-eight percent of the agency’s cases involve less than NT$20,000 in unpaid tolls, the bureau said. Photo: Cheng Wei-chi, Taipei TimesAbout 6,500 drivers with less than NT$20,000 in tolls have paid at convenience stores since 2019, when it was first allowed, the bureau said. Starting yesterday, the amount was raised to NT$30,000, with drivers able to pay at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart and Simple Mart stores. During the holiday, drivers should expect congestion at freeway interchanges in northern and central Taiwan, as well as on the Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Freeway (Freeway No.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Nissan debuts latest edition of Z sports car
Nissan debuts latest edition of Z sports carBloombergNissan Motor Co on Tuesday debuted the latest edition of its Z series coupe in New York, marking the seventh generation of a sports-car line that was introduced in 1969 as the Fairlady Z in Japan and the Datsun 240Z in the US. The new Z is the first refresh of the two-door platform in more than a decade and would be available for purchase next spring, Nissan said in a statement. Nissan Motor Co CEO Makoto Uchida poses for photographs at the company’s headquarters following a Bloomberg Television interview in Yokohama, Japan, on Aug. 3. Along with the Ariya and Z, updated iterations of Nissan’s Rogue, Pathfinder and Frontier are among the vehicles coming to market. The French company owns 43 percent of Nissan, while the Yokohama, Japan-based automaker has just 15 percent of Renault and no voting rights.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Agencies agree to retain day trading tax cut
Agencies agree to retain day trading tax cutStaff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of Finance, the Financial Supervisory Commission and the National Development Council on Tuesday night reached a consensus on extending the transaction tax cut for day trading for two or three years after it expires at the end of this year, local media reported yesterday. The three agencies will report the conclusion of their meeting to the Executive Yuan by the end of this month to finalize the extension plan, the reports said. The government cut the tax for day trading from 0.3 percent to 0.15 percent in 2017. The bellwether electronics sector yesterday also reversed earlier losses, giving an additional boost to the broader market, Huang said. Turnover was NT$417.49 billion (US$14.99 billion), with foreign institutional investors selling a net NT$2.24 billion of shares on the main board, Taiwan Stock Exchange data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Afghan turmoil shattering Paralympians’ dreams
Afghan turmoil shattering Paralympians’ dreamsReuters, TOKYOThe International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons yesterday said it was sad that Afghan athletes trapped in Kabul would not be able to compete in the Paralympic Games and heartbreaking to watch a female athlete’s video plea for help in reaching Tokyo. Amid the country’s ongoing turmoil, the Afghanistan Paralympic Committee on Monday said that two Afghan athletes would not be able to attend the Games, which start on Tuesday next week. By seeing what’s happening in Afghanistan and this is shattering the dreams of one of our athletes, it is really sad and it really breaks my heart,” Parsons said. Parsons added that the committee would work with the Afghan team to support her pursuing her dream again, including possibly competing at the games in Paris in 2024. “It’s something that goes way, way, way, way bigger than sports, and we are first concerned in Afghanistan as a nation and with the human beings, especially the female of that nation.
Source:Taipei Times
August 18, 2021 15:56 UTC
Jakobsen earns stage win a year after horrific crash
Jakobsen earns stage win a year after horrific crashAP, MOLINA DE ARAGON, SpainAbout a year ago, Fabio Jakobsen was on a hospital bed fighting for his life in an induced coma after a horrific crash at the Tour of Poland. On Tuesday, he was a stage winner again at a Grand Tour race, taking the lead in the final stretch of the closing sprint to win the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana. “After the crash, it was a long way back, but I’m happy I’m here.”Fabio Jakobsen, right, celebrates as he wins the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana in Molina de Aragon, Spain, on Tuesday. Photo: AFPRein Taaramae held on at the top of the overall standings despite crashing with a couple of kilometers to go. “It took a lot of time and a lot of efforts by a lot of people,” Jakobsen said.
Source:Taipei Times
August 17, 2021 17:15 UTC