NTU boosts student care after mental health incidents
NTU boosts student care after mental health incidentsBy Rachel Lin / Staff reporterNational Taiwan University (NTU) has established a task force to improve mental health services for students, after two alleged suicides and one accident were reported on its campus over five days, NTU president Kuan Chung-ming (管中閔) said yesterday. National Taiwan University president Kuan Chung-ming, front row, fifth left, and others celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the school’s founding on the Taipei campus yesterday. The school is saddened by the unfortunate incidents and has set up a threefold mechanism for student care, he said. Asked about the school’s ban on online discussion of self-injury incidents, Kuan said that there are upsides and downsides of such discussions. The NTU Student Association last night staged a candlelight evening on the school’s main boulevard, hoping that teachers and students could cheer each other up.
Source:Taipei Times
November 14, 2020 15:56 UTC
KMT pork video misleading, DPP lawmakers say
KMT pork video misleading, DPP lawmakers sayBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterDemocratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials yesterday condemned a video of a convulsing pig posted online by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) , as the US animal rights group that produced the clip said that it was not related to ractopamine. The KMT’s Facebook page, where the video was posted on Tuesday, said that the video was of hogs fed ractopamine that were experiencing physical and emotional distress as a result. Members of the Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday demand that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) remove a video from its Facebook page. The footage was shot at Quality Pork Processors (QPP), a high-speed pig slaughterhouse in Minnesota, it said. COA Minister Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) on Thursday asked the KMT to remove the video.
Source:Taipei Times
November 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taiwan-Thai operation leads to record drug bust
Taiwan-Thai operation leads to record drug bustBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterOfficials yesterday praised a joint operation with Thai authorities that led to Thailand’s largest-ever drug seizure, consisting of almost 12 tonnes of ketamine and precursor chemicals worth an estimated 30 billion baht (US$994.6 million). The bureau set up a task force with the Customs Administration, the Keelung District Prosecutors’ Office and police to investigate. Bureau officials worked with Thai customs officers and the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau for nearly two months before locating the warehouse, he said. According to Thai media reports, Thai authorities on Thursday raided the warehouse, where they seized a record haul of 11.65 tonnes of ketamine. Authorities found 66 25kg sacks of ketamine, as well as 10 tonnes of chemicals believed to be used to manufacture the drug, reports said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
TSMC reveals wage hike plan
TSMC reveals wage hike planBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, yesterday said it is to raise employees’ regular wages by an average of 20 percent in an effort to acquire and retain talent. The last such move came in 2009, when it boosted employees’ regular pay by 15 percent, before scrapping long-term practices of stock bonus distribution for employees in 2010 in response to a major change in accounting rules. The worldwide median annual compensation for TSMC employees, excluding pensions and benefits, is NT$1.63 million (US$56,505), the company’s corporate social responsibility report on its Web site said. The structural wage adjustment would not affect the annual paycheck adjustments, it said. TSMC hired 5,087 new employees last year, bringing its total workforce to 51,297 at the end of last year.
Source:Taipei Times
November 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Augusta gives ‘older guys’ a shot: Westwood
Augusta gives ‘older guys’ a shot: WestwoodReuters, AUGUSTA, GeorgiaVeteran golfer Lee Westwood said that Augusta National rewards experience and that his busy schedule heading into this year’s Masters puts him in a prime position to capture his elusive first major title this week. “It’s nice to see my name up there,” Westwood said. “It’s the kind of golf course that gives the older guys a chance. It gives you chances if you hit good shots and keep it in play.”England’s Lee Westwood hits an approach shot in the first round of the Masters at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia, on Thursday. Photo: AFP“Bombers,” such as tournament favorite Bryson DeChambeau, learned the hard way that Augusta can bite back when you try to overpower it.
Source:Taipei Times
November 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
Formosa Railroad Bento Festival opens in Taipei
Formosa Railroad Bento Festival opens in TaipeiBOXED MEALS: A pop-up restaurant themed on a Juguang Express car offers a nostalgic experience, while France, Japan and Switzerland have boothsStaff writer, with CNAThe sixth Formosa Railroad Bento Festival began yesterday at Taipei Railway Station, with people lining up to get a boxed meal from Taiwanese eateries and abroad. The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), the event’s organizer, said that this year’s festival has more than 40 gastronomic treats from about 30 food providers and international railway operators. Hosts hold boxed meals on the opening day of the Formosa Railroad Bento Festival at Taipei Railway Station yesterday. Railway operators from France, Japan and Switzerland have booths at this year’s festival, which runs through Monday, it said. Four Taiwanese hotels are participating for the first time, including the Courtyard restaurant at the Marriott and the Taipei branch of the AMBA, the TRA added.
Source:Taipei Times
November 13, 2020 15:56 UTC
MOJ mulls clearer prohibition of torture by police
MOJ mulls clearer prohibition of torture by policeBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is working on a draft amendment to explicitely list “torture” as an offense, to deter its use by police and law enforcement officers while questioning suspects, the ministry said in a news release yesterday. “Use of torture is forbidden throughout the world, and its prohibition is affirmed in a number of international conventions. UN experts in 2017 recommended that Taiwan introduce legislation against torture, the ministry said, adding that it would seek to expand Article 125 of the Criminal Code with an explicit prohibition of torture. The entrance of the Ministry of Justice in Taipei is pictured yesterday. National Police Agency officials criticized the proposal, saying that it would lead to unsubstantiated torture accusations against law enforcement agencies.
Source:Taipei Times
November 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Voucher scheme to be expanded to some categories of foreign residents
Small and Medium Enterprise Administration Director-General Ho Chin-tsan tells a news conference in Taipei yesterday about a plan to issue Triple Stimulus Vouchers to Alien Permanent Residential Certificate holders and foreign diplomats. APRC holders; those who have made special contributions to the nation; those with specific, high-level skills; foreign diplomats; foreign officials from international organizations or foreign government institutions; and other foreign staff have been added to those eligible for the vouchers. Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng (林全能) said that the cost of the expanded voucher program is covered by existing funds. When asked about additional stimulus programs following the voucher program, Ting said that the government has no such plans. Some nations have issued subsidies for foreign nationals with work visas, but policies vary from country to country, he said, adding that reciprocity was not a consideration.
Source:Taipei Times
November 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Ministry denies reports on visit by US Marine Corps
Ministry denies reports on visit by US Marine CorpsBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAThe Ministry of National Defense yesterday issued a statement refuting rumors that US Marine Corps members are to visit Taiwan to help train Taiwanese troops. Local media reports on Monday said that US instructors are to begin training Taiwanese marines and amphibious special force units in assault boat and speedboat infiltration operations for four weeks at the Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung. US Department of Defense spokesman John Supple on Wednesday sent an e-mail to the US military’s Stars and Stripes newspaper to say that news reports about US Marines training Taiwanese soldiers are “inaccurate.”“The United States remains committed to our ‘one China’ policy,” Supple wrote. Ministry spokesman Major General Shih Shun-wen (史順文) yesterday said that rumors that the Marine Raiders, a special operations forces under the US Marine Corps, working with the Republic of China Marine Corps lacked factual basis, calling on the media and others not to propagate false information. The Republic of China Navy yesterday issued a statement, saying that scheduled exercises between Taiwan and the US are to commence normally, while declining to comment further on the issue.
Source:Taipei Times
November 12, 2020 15:56 UTC
Justice commission reveals extent of KMT surveillance
Justice commission reveals extent of KMT surveillanceBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Transitional Justice Commission yesterday presented a sixth batch of declassified Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) records at a forum in Taipei, with the contents showing abuse of power and violations of human rights extending up until the year 2000. The batch contained 77,000 files, mainly records of citizens targeted by the KMT, Commission Chairwoman Yang Tsui (楊翠) said, adding that most of them came from the archives of the Taiwan Provincial Police Division, the forerunner of the National Police Agency. Relatives of victims of the Martial Law era speak at an event organized by the Transitional Justice Commission in Taipei yesterday. “My father’s elder brother began farming in a remote mountain village, and they put him under surveillance. The KMT’s state apparatus clearly used huge resources ... to monitor suspected political dissidents,” she said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 16:00 UTC
Taiwan and US to hold economic talks
Taiwan and US to hold economic talks‘STRONG RELATIONSHIP’: A small delegation would travel to Washington for the talks, while other senior officials would join from Taipei via video conferenceBy Angelica Oung and Lin Chia-nan / Staff reportersTaiwan and the US are to hold talks on “strategic economic cooperation” in Washington on Friday next week, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in separate statements yesterday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the date of the talks at a news briefing in Washington on Tuesday, saying: “The dialogue signifies that our economic relationship with Taiwan, a vibrant democracy and reliable partner, is strong and growing.”Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua talks to reporters after attending the Energy Summit Forum in Taipei yesterday. The US delegation would be headed by US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Keith Krach, who visited Taipei in September. Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi talks about Taiwan-US trade relations at an event in Taipei on Oct. 22. In other developments, Wang told reporters that “economic bubbles” for business travelers to Taiwan are “necessary for the Taiwanese economy.”“Face-to-face communication is still irreplaceable for serious investments and purchasing decisions,” Wang said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 16:00 UTC
Yageo reports net profit increase of 80 percent
Yageo reports net profit increase of 80 percentOUTLOOK: Demand would maximize value in the high-end automotive, industrial, medical, aerospace, 5G and Internet of Things segments, the company saidBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterYageo Corp (國巨), which makes passive components, on Tuesday reported that net profit for last quarter increased 80 percent from a year earlier and 10.1 percent from the previous quarter to NT$3.63 billion (US$125.91 million). Earnings per share (EPS) were NT$7.37, the highest in the past seven quarters, the company said in a statement. An exterior view of the headquarters of Yageo Corp in New Taipei City’s Sindian District is pictured in an undated photograph. “Tantalum capacitors are seeing surging demand from the rollout of new generations of products by the graphics processing unit [GPU] vendors, plus the launch of new game consoles,” JPMorgan said. “These new GPUs and game console processors utilize a lot more tantalum capacitors than the previous generations,” it said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taishin confident of retaining lead in digital banking
“We currently have a total of 2.25 million digital savings accounts, which suggests a market share of more than 40 percent. With our award-winning Richart service, we are confident about maintaining our advantage,” said Oliver Shang (尚瑞強), president of Taishin International Bank (台新銀行), the banking arm of Taishin Financial. Taishin International Bank president Oliver Shang is pictured in an undated photograph. Taishin Bank reported a net profit of NT$3.53 billion (US$122.44 million) for last quarter, down 2 percent from a quarter earlier. Cushioned by the rising profit of Taishin Securities Co (台新證券), Taishin Financial’s net profit for the first three quarters slid 1 percent to NT$11.7 billion.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Singapore ‘seeking travel bubble’
Singapore ‘seeking travel bubble’SOLUTION: Taiwan would welcome travel bubble deals with other countries, but any deal must first be approved by the CECC, the transport minister saidBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterSingapore has shown an interest in forming a travel bubble with Taiwan, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday, adding that the government is in talks with Vietnam and Japan about similar deals. Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung answers lawmakers’ questions at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee in Taipei yesterday. Lin said that the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) would decide if Taiwan’s travel restrictions should be eased or lifted. Lin also told the committee that Singapore has been seeking a travel bubble deal with Taiwan and has contacted several government agencies, adding that he would soon meet with its local trade representative. Taiwan is also in talks with Vietnam and Japan about forming travel bubbles with them, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 15:56 UTC
Taiwan an investment, innovation haven: ECCT
Taiwan an investment, innovation haven: ECCTCHALLENGES: While lauding its success in handling the pandemic, the ECCT said Taiwan faces challenges, such as the US-China tensions and the rise of the gig economyBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterTaiwan should seek to enhance innovation and promote itself as an international investment destination after effectively controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) said at a news conference to present its annual position paper. “Taiwan has a unique opportunity to enhance innovation and promote it as an attractive investment destination, aided by its open society, a good geographical location, a reliable regulatory and legal system, abundant capital resources and a skilled workforce,” ECCT chairman Giuseppe Izzo said. The chamber lauded Taiwan’s commitment to an energy transition away from fossil fuels to sources of renewable energy, and the electrification of the transportation sector. The government should adopt a stricter approach in dealing with heavy industrial electricity users to promote renewable energy, the chamber said. Energy storage is a crucial component in energy policy panning given the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 11, 2020 15:56 UTC