Writer receives honorable mention for a third time
Writer receives honorable mention for a third timeBy Chien Hui-ju and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerWriter Lee Wang-tai (李旺台) received an honorable mention for the third time at yesterday’s Historical Novel Award ceremony, for his biographical stories about Japanese colonial-era Hakka physician Chhi Pong-hin (徐傍興). The biennial award ceremony, held by the New Taiwan Peace Foundation, was launched in 2017. That was when the historical foundation of Taiwanese culture was thoroughly altered,” he said. Competition judge Sung Tse-lai (宋澤萊) said Lee did an “outstanding job” of capturing the personality and legacy of the doctor. I hope that by sharing facts about the past, we can give Taiwanese new hope,” Koo said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
Alishan firefly population plummets
Alishan firefly population plummetsLIGHTS OUT: Photographers and locals have said that while it is still worth seeing the fireflies, dry conditions in central and southern Taiwan have affected their numbersBy Tsai Tsun-hsun and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerEnthusiasts are reporting a massive decline in Alishan’s firefly population this year, as the nation’s Tourism Bureau prepares to open parks for the firefly watching festivals. The low and medium-altitude regions of the Alishan Range — which runs from Miaoli County to Chiayi County — are home to 42 kinds of fireflies or about two-thirds of all firefly species in Taiwan, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration said. “The firefly population is less than one-third of the size it was last year; the lack of rain has been catastrophic to the ecology of fireflies,” photographer Chuang Hsin-jan (莊信然) said. People who want to see the fireflies should go to the Alishan National Scenic Area (阿里山國家風景區), rather than the higher-altitude Alishan National Forest Recreational Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區), he said. The bureau offers three tours that combine daytime activities in the area with nighttime firefly viewing, the office said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 17, 2021 15:56 UTC
TSEC bags major deal, upbeat on turnaround
TSEC bags major deal, upbeat on turnaroundBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterSolar module supplier TSEC Corp (元晶太陽能) has secured a NT$2.3 billion to NT$2.5 billion (US$81.15 million to US$88.21 million) major supply contract for two new ground-mount solar farms in Taiwan, boding well for the company’s hopes of making a turnaround. The new orders would start to contribute to revenue from this month through February next year, TSEC said in a statement on Thursday. Photo: Chang Hui-wen, Taipei Times“With new orders on hand, the company has clear business visibility for this year,” TSEC said in the statement. Earlier this year, the company landed a major order to supply 120 megawatts of solar modules, it said. The investment would add between 350 megawatts and 400 megawatts solar module capacity a month, the company said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Tsai rebuts rumor of water delivery from Fukushima
Tsai rebuts rumor of water delivery from FukushimaBy Lee Hsin-fang and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerPresident Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday warned Taiwanese about cognitive warfare against the nation and denied rumors that Taiwan was planning to receive water from Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The social media post is “a typical example of cognitive warfare,” Tsai said, without elaborating who might be behind the document. Threatening activities by military aircraft and ships, as well as spreading fake news to undermine the solidarity of society, are common cognitive warfare strategies, Tsai said, adding that cognitive warfare would likely become more sophisticated. Taiwanese should be aware that disinformation from unknown sources might serve a cognitive warfare agenda, Tsai said, adding that people should not further spread such social media posts. “Taiwan’s freedom is hard-won, and we will not allow cognitive warfare to tear apart our society,” Tsai said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
US delegation wraps up three-day visit to Taipei
US delegation wraps up three-day visit to TaipeiSEEKING CLARITY: Some members of the US delegation asked KMT legislators in a meeting to address their party’s position on the so-called ‘1992 consensus,’ sources saidBy Chen Yun / Staff reporter, with CNAA US delegation tasked by US President Joe Biden to reaffirm the country’s commitment to its partnership with Taiwan yesterday wrapped up a three-day visit to Taipei. The members of the delegation, all friends of Biden, arrived on Wednesday and met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and other government officials. A plane carrying a US delegation tasked by US President Joe Biden to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to its partnership with Taiwan leaves Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) yesterday. During the meeting, members of the delegation asked about the KMT legislators’ interpretation of the so-called “1992 consensus,” sources said. In response to media queries, Chiang yesterday said that he responded by clarifying the “1992 consensus” from three aspects.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Citibank seeks to reassure customers
Staff at Citibank Taiwan Ltd’s branch in Taipei are pictured on June 30 last year. That did not suggest that it would be closing its consumer banking business in less than five months, they said. Citibank Taiwan actually planned to expand its local investment and recruit more talent at the beginning of this year, people familiar with the matter said. Meanwhile, DBS Bank Taiwan (星展銀行) yesterday said that it would not comment on market speculation that it would acquire Citibank Taiwan’s consumer banking operation. Citibank Taiwan reported a pretax profit of US$338 million for last year, ranking first among all foreign banks in the nation, company data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
CDC announces pill program for HIV
CDC announces pill program for HIVStaff writer, with CNATwo groups of people considered at high risk of contracting HIV now have access to free preventive treatment, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on Tuesday. The treatment, in the form of a pill, is being provided to partners of people with HIV and people under the age of 36, CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said. Known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the medicine is recognized internationally as an effective prevention treatment against HIV, Lo said. Centers for Disease Control personnel at a news conference in Taipei on Tuesday hold signs with information about an HIV pill program. The program was launched on April 1, offering 30 PrEP pills per month to female partners of people with HIV, Lo said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Crane driver charged in TRA probe
Crane driver charged in TRA probeNARROWING DOWN: After searches at 23 locations and questioning 109 people, prosecutors say that mishandling at a construction site might have caused the crashBy Jason Pan / Staff ReporterProsecutors yesterday indicted seven people in connection to the Taroko Express No. 408 derailment in Hualien County on April 2, in which 49 people died and more than 200 were injured. Lee Chin-fu (李進福) a United Geotech construction superintendent, was charged with negligence in causing death and document forgery, she said. Tung Hsin director HuangPing-ho (黃平和) and Lin Chang-ching (林長清), a site supervisor, were charged with contravening the Government Procurement Act, she said. Prosecutors charged Tung Hsin with breaches of the Government Procurement Act, Chou said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
CSBC ends five quarters of losses
CSBC ends five quarters of lossesBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterCSBC Corp, Taiwan (台船) yesterday reported a pretax profit of NT$34 million (US$1.2 million) for last quarter, ending five consecutive quarters of losses. The turnaround could be attributed to cost improvements and lower foreign exchange volatility, a CSBC official told the Taipei Times by telephone. CSBC Corp, Taiwan chairman Cheng Wen-lung, sixth left, talks to company employees in Kaohsiung in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of CSBC Corp, TaiwanAs a result, its gross margin returned to positive territory last quarter, the official said. Last year, it reported a gross margin of minus-5.57 percent as its cost of goods sold exceeded total sales, company data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Investigators slow to act on illegal porn: legislator
Investigators slow to act on illegal porn: legislatorBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe justice system has been slow in investigating pornography Web sites that allegedly contain videos of people filmed without their consent, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Mark Ho (何志偉) said yesterday. Prosecutors last month indicted Yu for contravening the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童級少年性剝削防治條例) among other offenses. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Mark Ho, left, speaks at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesW said that he was seeking justice for a female friend who had been a victim in the case. Yu has posted messages online saying he has obtained Hong Kong and UK citizenship, and would move abroad, W said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
NPA not doing enough on crime, KMT says
NPA not doing enough on crime, KMT saysQUESTIONING FAIRNESS: Premier Su Tseng-chang has not held Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai to the same safety standards as ex-mayor Han, KMT lawmakers saidBy Shih Hsiao-kuang and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday accused the National Police Agency (NPA) of inefficient gun control and said that Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) was placing party considerations over those of the nation in addressing crime. Su dismissed the top-ranking police officers in Kaohsiung and Tainan last year, citing a lack of concrete action against crime, KMT Culture and Communications Committee director-general Alicia Wang (王育敏) said, adding that despite the move, crime rates have risen since Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) took office on Aug 24 last year. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiu Yu-hsuan, left, and KMT Culture and Communications Committee deputy director-general Huang Tzu-che, right, listen as KMT Culture and Communications Committee director-general Alicia Wang speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. KMT Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiu Yu-hsuang (邱于軒) called on Su to hold Chen to the same standards as he did Han in assessing Kaohsiung’s safety ratings. Su has tapped Hsu and NPA Director-General Chen Ja-chin (陳家欽) to oversee efforts to curb crime in New Taipei City and Kaohsiung, Executive Yuan spokesman Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Control Yuan censures staff at Taoyuan juvenile facility
Control Yuan censures staff at Taoyuan juvenile facilityBy Chen Yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Control Yuan yesterday censured two employees at a juvenile correctional facility in Taoyuan over bullying and fights at the center. The branch, which is an Agency of Corrections’ facility, has higher incident rates than other centers, they said, adding that in one incident, 12 people ganged up on one person, indicating that the facility is out of control. Control Yuan members Yeh Ta-hua, left, and Wang Mei-yu hold a news conference at the Control Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesThe branch dean Chiu Liang-yi (邱量一) and staff member Lin Wen-chih (林文志) are unsuitable to remain in their positions, the Control Yuan said. Chiu and Lin should be immediately reassigned and the Ministry of Justice should find a more suitable dean for the facility, the Control Yuan said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Fruit likely contaminated by nearby fields: council
Fruit likely contaminated by nearby fields: councilGOING BANANAS: The Council of Agriculture said it would strengthen regulation and inspection of fruit farms exporting to Japan to ensure product qualityBy Yang Yuan-ting and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerA shipment of bananas that was rejected by Japan early this month might have been contaminated by nearby fields, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday. Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday concerning recent agricultural issues. This means 30 percent of the fruit is tested per shipment, instead of the previous 3 to 5 percent per shipment, Chen said. Asked about local media reports about a shortage of agricultural packaging materials, Chen said that demand for cardboard packaging has surged as manufacturers and other businesses pick up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The council has taken steps to secure packaging materials for the 16 hardest-hit farmers’ cooperatives from the nation’s leading paper manufacturers, he said, adding that a platform would be created to distribute packaging materials to farmers.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Rally for cannabis to take place tomorrow
“Advocates in Taiwan are looking catch up with the global community on the decriminalization and medical use of cannabis, but the judicial system still restricts it and classifies it as an illegal drug. Any change will have to start with members of the legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee initiating amendments,” Lim said. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟) also urged lawmakers to review reports and scientific evidence on the benefits of medical cannabis and push for its decriminalization. However, it would be a long process due to opposition from some sectors and its current listing as a Category 2 narcotic drug under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例 ), he said. Tomorrow’s event is to start at 1pm on Jinan Road next to the Legislative Yuan, the organizer said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Tax act amendment set to plug tax evaders’ loophole
Tax act amendment set to plug tax evaders’ loopholeBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe Executive Yuan yesterday approved an amendment to the Tax Collection Act (稅捐稽徵法) that would increase fines for tax evasion, aiming to fix a loophole that allows tax evaders to get away with milder penalties. Under the existing act, people found to have intentionally evaded paying their taxes face a fine of up to NT$60,000 (US$2,114) or five years in prison. The amendment would increase the maximum fine for mild tax fraud to NT$5 million, it added. The amendment changes the reward for those who report tax evaders to 20 percent of the amount of taxes evaded or up to NT$4.8 million, although tax bureau personnel, tax inspectors, their spouses and close relatives are ineligible for rewards. The revised act is to be forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for further deliberation, the Executive Yuan said in the statement.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC