Wang, Lee ready for Indonesia
Wang, Lee ready for IndonesiaJUGGLING COMMITMENTS: Taiwan’s Lee Yang said that he and Wang Chi-lin are protecting themselves and others, while doing ‘our best to prepare for each match’Staff writer, with CNAOlympic gold medalists Wang Chi-lin and Lee Yang depart today for Bali, Indonesia, to compete in the three-tournament Indonesia Badminton Festival, looking to regain the form that carried them to victory for Taiwan at the Summer Games in Tokyo. 44 Yoshinori Takeuchi and Keiichiro Matsui of Japan in the first round of the Super 750 Indonesia Masters, which offers prize money of US$600,000. Wang and Lee are also seeded third as the festival continues with the Super 1000 Indonesia Open, which opens on Nov. 23 with a US$850,000 purse. Taiwan’s Lee Yang, left, returns as Wang Chi-lin positions himself during their men’s doubles badminton final against China’s Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo on July 31. To advance to the top in Indonesia, Wang and Lee might need to face the two top-seeded Indonesia teams, which they defeated under pressure-packed conditions at the Olympics, as well as the in-form pairing of Hoki and Kobayashi.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 22:05 UTC
Toshiba to split business into three firms: report
Toshiba told Agence France-Presse the option of splitting its business up was under consideration, but said nothing had been decided yet. The Nikkei, which did not cite sources, said the move could be announced on Friday, when Toshiba reports earnings and unveils a new mid-term business plan. The Nikkei report said that splitting up conglomerates had been a successful strategy for some firms in the US, including Hewlett-Packard Co. However, for others, such as chemical giant DuPont Co, which separated into three firms under shareholder pressure, overall market capitalization is now lower, the business daily said. The move is relatively rare in Japan, and Toshiba would be the first major conglomerate to split into completely independent listed companies, the Nikkei said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 19:01 UTC
Ministry denies accusations of discrimination
Ministry denies accusations of discriminationSTUDENT COMPLAINTS: One said they were asked to wait four months for an appointment, but ministry officials in Taipei said no discrimination is toleratedBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied accusations by a group of students from Africa, who said that officials discriminated against them in processing their visa applications. In an online news conference yesterday, the students accused the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria of blocking their visa applications. Photo: screen grab from the InternetMany of the students had applied for visas at other foreign embassies, but what they experienced at the Taiwan office was terrible, they said. The students have sought help from the Taiwan International Student Movement, an advocacy group for the rights of international students, which also called on the ministry to stop discriminating against African students. However, since Aug. 23, overseas students have been allowed to enter Taiwan and overseas offices have been accepting applications for student visas, Ou said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 17:30 UTC
COVID-19: Foreigners receive another 30-day visa extension
The government has announced automatic 30-day visa extensions each month this year to avoid forcing foreigners to leave Taiwan while the pandemic continues to affect the world and travel restrictions are in effect. The extension policy would continue to be reviewed and adjusted as necessary, in accordance with the Central Epidemic Command Center’s (CECC) assessment of COVID-19 conditions, the agency said. The death involved a woman in her 90s, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on June 1, Chen said. Chen announced that three types of COVID-19 vaccines — AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna — would be offered in the 14th round of the national vaccination program. Asked if a mix-and-match approach to COVID-19 vaccines could be approved in the 15th round, Chen said “it is possible,” but it would depend on the delivery of vaccines later this month.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 17:30 UTC
Exports hit record highs on tech orders
“Tight capacity and clear order visibility for chips, the main growth driver, lend further support to Taiwan’s exports,” Department of Statistics Director-General Beatrice Tsai (蔡美娜) said at a media briefing in Taipei. Electronics shipments grew 12.4 percent to US$14.58 billion, while exports of information and communications technology products soared 26.9 percent to US$5.88 billion last month, the ministry’s monthly report showed. Imports of agricultural and industrial materials surged 48.8 percent to US$23.67 billion, while semiconductor equipment imports rose 46.3 percent to US$3.14 billion, it said. In the first 10 months of the year, exports jumped 30 percent to US$364.2 billion, while imports advanced 33.7 percent to US$310.38 billion, the ministry said. Tsai said fast vaccination rates worldwide allowed companies and consumers confidence to embark on purchasing activity.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 02:38 UTC
Few willing to change lifestyle to save the planet
Protesters on Friday hold a sign inside the venue at the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Only 51 percent said they would definitely take individual climate action, with 14 percent saying they would definitely not and 35 percent torn. People in Poland and Singapore (56 percent) were the most willing to act, and in Germany (44 percent) and the Netherlands (37 percent) the least. People carry a sign on Saturday as they attend a protest during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain. “Citizens are undeniably concerned by the state of the planet, but these findings raise doubts regarding their level of commitment to preserving it,” the study said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 01:03 UTC
Taiwanese company converts sugarcane into masks
Taiwanese company converts sugarcane into masksStaff writer, with CNAPolyester and textiles producer Far Eastern New Century Corp (FENC, 遠東新世紀) has developed a bio-based material derived from sugarcane bagasse that can be used in the production of masks. While the quality of bio-based fibers and petroleum-based synthetic fibers are similar, biodegradable materials are gentler on the skin and have good water absorption, the company said. Bio-based fibers cost about US$3 per kilogram — about three times that of petroleum-based alternatives, FENC said. The bio-based fibers can also be used to produce products such as diapers and alcohol wipes, the executive said. The firm’s biodegradable unwoven fibers include a green polyethylene made out of sugarcane ethanol.
Source:Taipei Times
November 09, 2021 01:03 UTC
‘EU agrees on cooperation with Taipei’
European Parliament member Raphael Glucksmann, president of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the EU, including Disinformation, speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Friday. Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFEAlthough it was not the first time that European Parliament members have visited Taiwan, it was the first official delegation sent by the European Parliament, Glucksmann said. Asked how supporting Taiwan benefits the EU, Glucksmann said that supporting democracies against authoritarian regimes is in the long-term interest of the EU and is an issue of principle. It is also because of China’s aggression that Europe has stepped up its cooperation with Taiwan, he added. Glucksmann said that he would continue to push for closer ties between the EU and Taiwan, and advocate for a bilateral investment agreement.
Source:Taipei Times
November 07, 2021 19:00 UTC
Ministry working to fight Chinese cognitive warfare
Ministry working to fight Chinese cognitive warfareALREADY COVERED: All scenarios in a Reuters report on a possible Chinese attack have already been discussed by the defense ministry and Pentagon officials, an analyst saidBy Wu Su-wei and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAThe Ministry of National Defense yesterday said that it is combating Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cognitive warfare efforts against Taiwan. The ministry said it has submitted guidelines to the Legislative Yuan to define cognitive warfare efforts by foreign powers and to outline the military’s actions to combat it. Photo: EPA-EFE / the Ministry of National DefenseThe CCP engages in cognitive warfare with Taiwan through the use of propaganda, fake social media accounts, content farms and Taiwanese collaborators, it said. The possible scenarios regarding a Chinese attack discussed in the report have all been previously discussed between the ministry and US officials at the Pentagon, he said. “Taiwan should also play to its strengths in information technology, and invest more in its electronic warfare capabilities,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
November 07, 2021 17:31 UTC
John J. Tkacik, Jr. On Taiwan: Taiwan’s ‘meaningful participation’
John J. Tkacik, Jr. On Taiwan: Taiwan’s ‘meaningful participation’Ironically, October 25, 2021, was a milestone in Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in the international community. In fact, the United States voted against China’s admission under Resolution 2758 explicitly because the resolution also expelled Taiwan. And now, the US insists on Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in international organizations. But what, pray tell, is “meaningful participation”? Not only is the US lending weight to Taiwan’s international aspirations, Europe’s parliaments, Australia and the new government in Japan are also supportive.
Source:Taipei Times
November 07, 2021 17:19 UTC
Oil falls for second week as US, Saudi Arabia spar
Oil falls for second week as US, Saudi Arabia sparBloombergOil pared its weekly loss as Saudi Arabia cranked up prices for its global crude exports and the US demurred on a potential release of oil from the strategic reserve. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) shaved its weekly loss to 2.75 percent, rising sharply late in the session on Friday, after Saudi Arabia raised the official selling price of all the nation’s crudes to buyers around the globe. Photo: AFPSaudi Arabia boosted its prices just days after refusing to concede to US pressure to pump more oil. The increase in Saudi Arabian Oil Co prices suggests Saudi Arabia sees demand still improving, particularly in Asia where a resurgence in COVID-19 cases seeded doubt about the recovery’s strength, she added. For months, Biden has led calls for OPEC+ to add more barrels to tame high oil prices.
Source:Taipei Times
November 06, 2021 19:11 UTC
From Nigeria to India, Gen Z uses apps to invest
From Nigeria to India, Gen Z uses apps to investBy Nivrita Ganguly / AFP, MUMBAI, IndiaThere are a new generation of investors in town. College student Ishan Srivastava checks stocks on his computer while trading on apps on his smart phone in Ghaziabad, India. Photo: AFPSrivastava uses a handful of Indian trading apps from companies including Zerodha and Upstox, and often recevies his financial advice from YouTube. Trading apps have lowered the barriers to entry for youngsters in part by offering fractional trade. Some young investors have already been burned.
Source:Taipei Times
November 06, 2021 17:05 UTC
US senators introduce resolution to back Lithuanian efforts to boost Taiwan ties
US senators introduce resolution to back Lithuanian efforts to boost Taiwan tiesStaff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTONTwo US senators on Friday introduced a resolution to support Lithuania’s efforts to bolster its ties with Taiwan as China increases pressure on the Baltic state for improving its relations with Taipei. The resolution was proposed by US Senator Jim Risch, a Republican and a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation. The resolution commends Lithuania for boosting its ties with Taiwan, recognizes the bold steps it has taken to highlight the malign actions of China, and encourages nations around the world to support Lithuania and confront Chinese coercion. The resolution says China has blocked Taiwan from meaningfully participating in international organizations with the goal of diplomatically isolating the nation. It is the latest effort by Washington to support Lithuania’s improving ties with Taiwan.
Source:Taipei Times
November 06, 2021 16:09 UTC
Covid-19: Indonesia’s economic growth slows amid outbreak
Covid-19: Indonesia’s economic growth slows amid outbreakBloombergIndonesia’s economy decelerated in the third quarter as harsh lockdowns to contain a record spike in COVID-19 cases outweighed higher commodity prices and trade. That below the median estimate of 3.88 percent in a Bloomberg survey of economists and the government’s projection of 4.5 percent. People work in a tofu production facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. Meanwhile, the global economic recovery improved, including in trade partner countries, while commodity prices rose, he said. Exports in the third quarter rose 51 percent from a year ago to US$61.4 billion, the statistics office said, while imports rose 47 percent to US$48.2 billion.
Source:Taipei Times
November 06, 2021 00:04 UTC
Cabinet approves bill to extend tax exemption for EVs
Cabinet approves bill to extend tax exemption for EVsStaff writer, with CNAThe Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft amendment to the Vehicle License Tax Act (使用牌照稅法) that would extend a tax exemption for electric vehicles (EVs) for four years until the end of 2025. Article 5 of the act stipulates that municipal, county or city governments can exempt electric vehicles from the tax until Dec. 31. The amendment would extend that exemption until Dec. 31, 2025, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The ministry also submitted a proposed draft amendment to the Commodity Tax Act (貨物稅條例) to the Cabinet for approval, Su said. The amendment would similarly extend a commodity tax exemption for electric vehicles and motorcycles, which expires on Dec. 31 this year, for another four years until the end of 2025.
Source:Taipei Times
November 06, 2021 00:04 UTC