Taiwan News
Date: 2016-01-21
By: Chia Lee, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

RCAN, a social movement organization called on the authorities to respect the archaeological process, find a way to change the route of the project, and allow archeologists more time to expand the site of their archeological dig, in order to better preserve such unique cultural assets.

The Directorate General of Highways (DGH) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) convened the 19th meeting of the “Suhua Highway Improvement Project Supervision Group Discussion” on Wednesday, and was faced with protesters demanding the authorities to change the route of the project, so that the archaeological experts could work to enhance the preservation of the archaeological remains of Hanben culture.

Ten members of the Raging Citizens Act Now (RCAN), a social movement organization advocating environmental protection, gathered in front of the MOTC Wednesday alongside Legislator Tian Chiu-chin, demanding the DGH to change the route of the project and allow archaeologists to expand the excavations and a longer lead time necessary for excavation work.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Today
Date: January 21, 2016

An exhibition highlighting a Poaceae varietal and its potential use in

The use of a Poaceae varietal as an alternative to fossil fuels is one of the educational goals of a related exhibition running Jan. 21 to Nov. 30 at Endemic Species Research Institute in Nantou County. (Courtesy of ESRI)

environmental protection kicked off Jan. 21 at Endemic Species Research Institute under the Council of Agriculture in Nantou County.

Running until Nov. 30, The Wonderful World of Poaceae features 30-plus everyday pieces made of bamboo and silver grass, as well as a detailed display of characteristics and applications in corn, elephant grass, millet, oats, rice, sorghum, sugar cane and wheat.

ESRI Associate Research Fellow Chen Chih-hui said the event aims to springboard the grass into the national spotlight. “The fact that the Poaceae family comprises 10,000 species under 650 genera covering one-third of the global land mass plays an important role in solving food security issues and preserving the environment.”

Corn, also a key player in the food security scene, is seen as possible big league green energy source of the 21st century and beyond, Chen said. “Corn-based ethanol can reduce oil consumption, lowering carbon dioxide emissions to alleviate the impact of the greenhouse effect.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-01-20
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Kuomintang on Wednesday announced it was postponing the election of its new chairman by one month to March 26.

After losing the presidential and legislative elections last Saturday, Chairman Eric Liluan Chu announced his resignation, and on Monday Vice Chairwoman Huang Min-huei became interim leader until the election of a successor.

Originally, the KMT scheduled the vote for February 27, but the date met with criticism at Wednesday’s meeting of the party’s Central Standing Committee, the first since the election defeat.

The critics said the time to prepare for an election bid was too short, and it seemed as if the timing had been designed to help a particular candidate, though no names were mentioned.     [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/20
By: Liu Shih-yi and Kay Liu

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) The four suspects under investigation for alleged

Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Lin Hsi-shan (center).

corruption in a case involving computer purchases for the Legislature will appeal a court decision to detain and hold them incommunicado, their lawyers said Wednesday.

The Taipei District Court said it had granted prosecutors permission to detain Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Lin Hsi-shan (林錫山) and three other suspects, who are considered as flight risks and are seen as likely to collaborate on their testimony.

Lin, along with an employee at his office and two workers at Farnet Technologies Co., were taken into custody after prosecutors conducted searches in Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu City and Changhua County Tuesday.

Meanwhile, nine of the 33 people questioned by prosecutors Tuesday, including Lin’s wife, were granted bail but are expected to face charges.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Today
Date: January 20, 2016

A five-volume compilation of Taiwan New People’s News was released

A five-volume compilation of Taiwan New People’s News is hot off the presses Jan. 18 at National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City. (Courtesy of NMTH)

Jan. 18 by National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan City, offering a snapshot of everyday life and current affairs during the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945).

Containing daily editions published between 1932 and 1933, as well as 1939 and 1940, the compilation is the first hard copy of the newspaper already available to the public in digital form at National Museum of Taiwan Literature in Tainan City and a newspaper archive in Taichung City. The latter was founded by the late Yang Chao-chia, a senior official in the Taiwan Provincial Government and ROC presidential adviser.

NMTH Director Lu Li-cheng said as the newspaper was the only form of media representing the true voice of the Taiwan people during Japan’s 50-year rule, the compilation sheds light upon momentous events during this turbulent time and tracks the rise of social movements on the island.     [FULL  STORY]