Tainan Lions stay alive, shutting out CTBC Brothers
Tainan Lions stay alive, shutting out CTBC BrothersBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe Uni-President Lions yesterday stayed alive in the Taiwan Series, shutting out the CTBC Brothers 6-0 in Tainan. With the Brothers ahead in the series 3-2, the Lions started the game with Canadian right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn, while Dominican pitcher Esmil Rogers started for CTBC. Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua yesterday throws the opening pitch at Game 5 of the Taiwan Series between the Uni-President Lions and CTBC Brothers in Tainan. Uni-President Lions’ Lin Yu-le bats in yesterday’s game against CTBC Brothers in Tainan. In Wednesday night’s game, the Brothers held a 6-0 lead over the Lions heading into the eighth inning, scoring three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings in Tainan.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
Attack by China unlikely before 2024, academic says
Attack by China unlikely before 2024, academic saysBy Chen Yu-fu and Jason Pan / Staff reportersChina would not attack Taiwan before 2024, as long as President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) does not push for de jure independence or moves to rely on foreign countries for security, an academic said yesterday. A group of academics take part in a seminar in Taipei yesterday to discuss the relationship between Taiwan, China and the US following this year’s US presidential election. “Xi did not talk about ‘one country, two systems’ nor warn against Taiwan independence,” he added. “Therefore, as long as President Tsai does not push for de jure independence, and avoids overreliance on foreign countries for security, then we are certain that China would not attack Taiwan before 2024,” he said. “Biden favors multilateralism, while he is against decoupling from China, so Taiwan need its own strategy, and cannot just follow US policy as before,” Chao said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
Highlight: Taiwan POW Camps Remembrance Day
Highlight: Taiwan POW Camps Remembrance DayBy Han Cheung / Staff reporterThis year is a special one for the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society — Aug. 15 marked the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the Allied victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Only then were the surviving men held in the 14 POW camps across Taiwan able to go free. They will be hosting their annual Remembrance Day event on Nov. 15 at the memorial, followed by a picnic lunch at the community center. Relatives of the POWs lay down poppy wreaths at the Kinkaseki POW Camp memorial during 2016’s Remembrance Day event. ■ Nov. 15 at 11am at Taiwan POW Memorial Park in Jinguashi, New Taipei City.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
Farmers protest water curtailment
Farmers protest water curtailmentBy Lee Hsin-fang and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerDozens of farmers on Wednesday protested the government’s announcement last month that it was cutting off irrigation to 1.9 hectares of farmland across Taoyuan, and Hsinchu and Miaoli counties due to insufficient rainfall this year. A group of farmers protest in front of the Executive Yuan in Taipei on Wednesday against the Council of Agriculture’s decision last month to suspend farmland irrigation to parts of Taoyuan, and Hsinchu and Miaoli counties. Hung said that the government should rather cut the water supply for the manufacturing sector and subsidizing companies in the sector instead of the farmers. Central Taiwan Farmer’s Group member Hsu Wen-feng (許文烽) said that while the subsidies would outweigh many famers’ losses, those who are leasing land, managing their own brand or pursue organic farming would not benefit. The reputation of some farmers’ brands might be harmed, and they might have to cease selling under that brand, Hsu said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
IBF Financial posts NT$977m profit for the third quarter
IBF Financial posts NT$977m profit for the third quarterBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterIBF Financial Holdings Co (國票金控) yesterday posted net profit of NT$977 million (US$33.84 million) for last quarter, an annual gain of 26.5 percent amid rising corporate lending, green lending and commercial paper business. Its main profit engine, International Bills Finance Co (國際票券), reported that net profit rose 40 percent from a year earlier to NT$879 million, accounting for 90 percent of the financial conglomerate’s total earnings. IBF Financial Holdings Co chairman Wea Chi-lin, right, speaks at an investors’ conference in Taipei yesterday as Rakuten International Commercial Bank Co chairman Chien Ming-jen looks on. Overall, IBF Financial reported a net profit of NT$2.46 billion for the first nine months, up 16.09 percent from a year earlier, the fourth-fastest growth among the nation’s 15 financial conglomerates after Fubon Financial Holding Co (富邦金控), with an annual gain of 27.09 percent, Cathay Financial Holding Co (國泰金控) with 23.48 percent and Jih Sun Financial Holding Co (日盛金控) with 17.37 percent. IBF Financial would focus more on providing customized services to retain profit momentum, as it expects the US Federal Reserve to continue with its loose monetary policy no matter who wins its presidential election, IBF Financial chairman Wea Chi-lin (魏啟林) told investors.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
NCC sees 5G coverage reaching 80% by 2024
NCC sees 5G coverage reaching 80% by 2024By Shelley Shan / Staff reporterThe 5G service coverage rate is expected to reach 80 percent by 2024, National Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang (陳耀祥) said in a briefing to the legislature’s Transportation Committee in Taipei yesterday. National Communications Commission Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang speaks at a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee in Taipei yesterday. The rules governing the appropriation of subsidies to carriers would be publicly disclosed by the end of this year, Chen said. The 5G service coverage rate is at about 26 percent now, and the subsidies can help reinforce telecoms infrastructure in both urban and rural areas and accelerate the developments of applications using 5G systems, he added. The commission also estimated that the nation’s 5G service coverage rate would reach 80 percent based on the speed at which carriers are expanding their base station infrastructure.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
TPK projects dismal revenue
TPK projects dismal revenueSEEKING ALTERNATIVES: The firm faces mounting risk of weakening revenue due to the effects of its slow season, which are usually very severe, CEO Leo Hsieh saidBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterTouch module and sensor supplier TPK Holding Co (宸鴻) yesterday gave a dismal revenue outlook for this quarter due to order losses. Revenue is forecast to slump between 20 and 25 percent from NT$32.85 billion (US$1.14 billion) last quarter, TPK chief strategic officer Freddie Liu (劉詩亮) told investors in a teleconference. As a result, TPK expects a continuous decline in revenue from the smartphone segment in the short to medium term, he said. The smartphone segment is the second-largest revenue source for TPK, making up 34 percent of its total revenue last quarter, a company financial statement showed. Regular-sized tablets contributed 20 percent to TPK’s revenue last quarter, while notebook computers and larger tablets made up the biggest revenue share of 41 percent, the financial statement showed.
Source:Taipei Times
November 05, 2020 15:56 UTC
Exhibit features works by ex-cons
Exhibit features works by ex-consBy Chang Jui-chen and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerA former convict-turned-artist who was imprisoned for 18 years on drugs charges said on Tuesday that rehabilitation gave him a second chance at life. His parents and several relatives passed away while he was in prison, which made him deeply regret his actions, Chu said. Chu discovered he had a talent for art, and his works earned him the praise of the prison administrators, who turned an unused space in the prison into a studio for him. After his release in 2011, Chu took out a loan for an art studio with the help of the association. He also teaches art classes at his studio and has been commissioned to create wedding portraits using sand painting.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Ministry drafts revisions to school meal contracts
Photo: Wu Po-hsuan, Taipei TimesThe statement asked schools at all levels to use quality domestic pork and beef. The ministry’s proposed revisions to the template requires the use of meat and its processed products, as well as eggs, that are domestically produced. Vendors found to have falsely supplied products would face a penalty of 15 to 20 points, up from the current 10 points, according to the draft revisions. Vendors that accumulate 20 penalty points would have their contracts terminated, the ministry said. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers yesterday criticized the the ministry’s plan, proposing instead that amendments be made to the act.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Manufacturing output to increase: ITRI
Production value next year would expand to NT$19.68 trillion (US$678.48 billion) from NT$18.79 trillion this year, the institute said. “The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest factor affecting the prospects of the manufacturing sector next year,” ISTI senior researcher Patrick Liou (劉名寰) said. The information and communications technology industry next year would remain the supporting pillar of Taiwan’s manufacturing sector, he said. Production value in the industry would increase 3.55 percent year-on-year to NT$8 trillion, up from NT$7.72 trillion this year, he added. Production value in the sector this year would fall 18.76 percent, as crude oil prices stabilize, Liou said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Brothers thrashing Lions 6-1 in ninth, leading series
Brothers thrashing Lions 6-1 in ninth, leading seriesBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe CPBL drew a capacity crowd of 7,800 yesterday at Tainan Municipal Stadium with the CTBC Brothers, as of press time last night, thrashing hosts the Uni-President Lions 6-1 in the ninth inning and poised to take a 3-1 lead in the Taiwan Series. The opening inning pitted Lions southpaw Chiang Chen-yen against Brothers right-hander Huang En-shih. CTBC Brothers starter Huang En-shih pitches against the Uni-President Lions in Game 4 of the CPBL Taiwan Series at Tainan Municipal Stadium yesterday. The score remained tied at 1-1 until the ninth inning, when the Brothers faced Lions relief pitcher Huang Chun-yen. The Lions elected to bring in closer Chen Yun-wen against the next batter, Brothers first baseman Hsu Chi-hong.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
AI tool boosts pancreatic cancer detection
AI tool boosts pancreatic cancer detectionBy Lin Hui-chin and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writerNational Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to improve radiologists’ ability to detect pancreatic cancer during computed tomography (CT) scans. Photo: Lin Hui-chin, Taipei TimesWhile CT scans are the main tool used to detect pancreatic cancer, about 40 percent of tumors smaller than 2cm evade detection, Liao said. During the early stage, pancreatic cancer shows almost no signs or symptoms, and the tumor often has indistinct borders, making it difficult to identify even by professional radiologists, he said. Liao cited a case in which a CT scan showed no signs of pancreatic cancer, but an endoscopic ultrasonography identified a 1.5cm tumor in the patient. The algorithm, trained by 3,000 pieces of image data, can yield a 98.3 percent sensitivity rate in distinguishing image patches of pancreatic cancer from non-cancerous ones, higher than the 92.9 percent of radiologists, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Foundation for freedom plans move to Taiwan
Foundation for freedom plans move to TaiwanHONG KONG EXIT: The German foundation said Taiwan’s political stability, and democratic and liberal society were ideal for its Global Innovation HubBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Germany-based Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) on Tuesday said that it is to relocate its Global Innovation Hub to Taipei from Hong Kong early next year, citing Taiwan’s political stability and democratic structures as ideal conditions. “With its political stability and its democratic, pluralistic and liberal society, Taiwan offers ideal conditions for the work of the Global Innovation Hub,” the foundation said in a news release on Tuesday. “With the establishment of the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] in 1986, a successful liberal party has existed in Taiwan for years. The DPP is also a member of Liberal International and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats,” it said. The foundation also looks forward to cooperating with Minister Without Portfolio Audrey Tang’s (唐鳳) office and other civil society organizations in Taiwan, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Industry and commerce association calls for delay of green energy rules
Industry and commerce association calls for delay of green energy rulesBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterThe Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC, 工商協進會) yesterday called on the government to postpone the implementation of rules starting next year that would require heavy industrial electricity users to generate or buy green energy. Lin pressed the government on behalf of the chamber to postpone implementation of the rules that would require major electricity users to install facilities to generate green energy and purchase portions of green energy depending on the amount of electricity they use on a yearly basis. Photo: Lee Ya-wen, Taipei TimesHeavy electricity users are defined as companies that use 5,000 kilowatts of electricity annually. The government aims to raise the ratio of green energy in the nation’s energy mix as it seeks to retire nuclear power plants. Taiwan Cement Corp (台灣水泥), polyester and textile maker Far Eastern New Century Corp (遠東新世紀) and Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corp (新纖) have also made investments in green energy production.
Source:Taipei Times
November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC
Medigen says ready to produce vaccines next year
Medigen says ready to produce vaccines next yearHUMAN TRIALS: Twenty million doses would be Medigen’s maximum production capacity and would be enough to inoculate 10 million people, the company saidBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterMedigen Vaccine Biologics Corp (高端疫苗) yesterday said it would be ready to manufacture 20 million doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine next year if it gains emergency use authorization from the government by June. Twenty million doses would be enough to vaccinate 10 million people, as each person would need two doses, Lee said. Although the pandemic has been controlled in Taiwan, vaccines and drugs are deemed essential in fighting the disease. Some locally developed vaccine candidates, including those by Medigen, Adimmune Corp (國光生技) and United Biomedical Inc (聯亞生技), have undergone phase 1 human trials. Medigen has enrolled 45 participants aged 20 to 50 for its phase 1 trial in Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
November 03, 2020 15:56 UTC