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Steam train pulls into Taiwan’s Hualien Port Station to celebrate TRA’s 132 anniversary

Nearly 100 people with professional camera equipment took up their positions to wait for the coming of the celebratory steam train

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/06/09
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The steam locomotive, dubbed “the Queen of Locomotives,” pulls into Harlien Port Station. (Orrin Hoopman photo)

3TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railways Administration’s (TRA) steam train CT273 pulled into Hualien Port Station on Sunday (June 9) morning to celebrate the agency’s 132 anniversary, attracting nearly 100 train buffs to take photos of the train with its engine releasing billowing clouds of black smoke, Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

Nearly 100 people with professional camera equipment took up their ideal positions at the waterfront recreation area of Hualien Port to wait for the celebratory steam train to pull into the station, which only freight trains travel to and from on a regular basis, according to CNA.

CT273 was made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company. The steam locomotive, dubbed “The Queen of Locomotives” for its elegant body design and fast traveling speed, was once the fastest locomotive on TRA’s Western Line. In 1984, CT273 became TRA’s last steam locomotive to retire, giving way to electric locomotives, the news outlet said.

A railway festival was organized at the waterfront recreation area to cater to visitors, including passengers who came by taking the celebratory train. The festival offered performances of street soul dances, ukulele, and singing by Hualien Happy Family Choir as well as a food fair, CNA reported.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwanese actor Ma Ju-lung passes away aged 80

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/09
By: Chen Cheng-wei and William Yen

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) Taiwanese actor Ma Ju-lung (馬如龍), known for his acting career of

Taiwanese actor Ma Ju-lung (馬如龍) / CNA file photo

40 years, died of severe infection from a ruptured bowel Sunday at the age of 80.

Ma had been admitted to an intensive care unit of the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei for the infection, the hospital confirmed Wednesday.

In his 40-year career, Ma acted in over 50 Taiwanese drama series and was also known for his role in the 2008 hit movie Cape No. 7 and the 2010 Taiwanese gangster film Monga.     [FULL  STORY]

Navy dismisses pair over video

SEX DEMERITS: The Naval Fleet Command said that two sailors were given two major demerits each and the unit might also face an investigation

Taipei Times
Date: Jun 10, 2019
By: Jason Pan  /  Staff reporter

Two sailors serving on the Kidd-class guided missile destroyer ROCS Kee Lung have been dismissed after footage was leaked allegedly showing the two having sex on board the warship, naval officers said yesterday.

An investigation was launched after a video was circulated online containing images of what appears to be a male and female sailor engaging in sexual activity, and a committee of supervising officials was convened to review proceedings, the Naval Fleet Command Headquarters told a news conference.

“After deliberation, it was decided that the two would receive two major demerits each and would be dismissed from service,” it said. “A review will also be conducted regarding responsibility and possible negligence of their service unit.”

The two were dismissed for breaches of the Armed Forces Disciplinary Maintenance Regulation (國軍軍風紀維護實施規定) and Gender Code of Conduct for Military Personnel (性別分際), the Naval Fleet Command Headquarters said.    [FULL  STORY]

US under Trump takes step towards recognizing Taiwan as a country

Recent trends suggest a change in Taiwan’s official status may be on the horizon

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/06/08
By: Duncan DeAeth, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

File Photo: President Trump with Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (By Associated Press)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Over the past several months, and especially the last few weeks, it appears that the United States under the Trump administration is taking a much clearer stance on relations with Taiwan.

Specifically, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Report published by the Department of Defense (DoD) on June 1, along with a few other notable events, and the recently reported US$2.6 billion dollar weapon’s deal to provide Taiwan with new tanks and missiles, suggests that the Trump administration is taking its obligation to ensure Taiwan’s defensive capabilities seriously.

The terminology used in the Indo-Pacific Strategy Report (PDF link) may indicate a change in how Washington sees Taiwan’s political status. On page 30 of the report, under the heading “Strengthening Partnerships,” the DoD states the following.

“As democracies in the Indo-Pacific, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Mongolia are reliable, capable, and natural partners of the United States. All four countries contribute to U.S. missions around the world and are actively taking steps to uphold a free and open international order.”    [FULL  STORY]

MOFA slams China for barring Taiwanese from weather meet in Geneva

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/08
By: Elaine Hou, Wang Shu-fen and Ko Lin 

Taipei, June 8 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) slammed China Saturday for barring two Taiwanese experts from attending the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva this year.

The ministry strongly condemned China for using its political clout to suppress Taiwan and its people from participating in international exchanges and expressed “strong dissatisfaction and regret” to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for submitting to Beijing’s pressure, MOFA said.

The World Meteorological Congress, the supreme body of the WMO, is held every four years, in which members elect the president and vice-presidents of the organization, as well as members of the executive council. The summit also includes discussions on key resolutions and other topics related to meteorology, such as climate change.

The event is being held June 3-14 this year.    [FULL  STORY]

Wash eggs to avoid salmonella, experts say

HYGIENIC COOKING: While salmonella can be treated with antibiotics, infants, elderly people and people with a weakened immune system can suffer serious complications

Taipei Times
Date: Jun 09, 2019
By: Lin Hui-chin  /  Staff reporter

People should wash eggs before cooking them and avoid storing them at room

Two eggs sit on a cutting board on Thursday. Doctors say that washing eggs before cooking them and not storing them at room temperature helps to avoid salmonella contamination.
Photo: Lin Hui-chin, Taipei Times

temperature or eating raw or half-cooked eggs to prevent salmonella infection, health experts said on Friday.

Local Chinese-language media reported that the Chiayi District Prosecutors’ Office on Thursday indicted four people running a breakfast eatery in Chiayi County after a student died and 44 people fell sick after allegedly eating their meals.

People can contract salmonellosis — an infection caused by salmonella bacteria — by eating food tainted by animal or human feces, such as uncooked or half-boiled eggs, milk and meat products, the Centers for Disease Control said.

Infants and adults with urinary incontinence are more vulnerable to the disease, it said.

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the disease’s most common symptoms, while nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and stomach pain can occur within six to 48 hours of infection, the centers said.    [FULL  STORY]

Delegation of US military and FBI officials arrives in Taiwan: Stratfor

Delegation of more than 100 people representing US law enforcement and US Indo-Pacific Command arrived in Taipei on Friday

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/06/08
By: Duncan DeAeth, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

US INDO-PACOM officers at Memorial Day ceremony in Hawaii, May 27, (photo from INDO-PACOM twitter acct.)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In line with the Taiwan Travel Act (TTA) implemented in 2018, the U.S. has sent a large number of military and law enforcement officials to Taiwan to engage in bilateral talks focused on security in the Indo-Pacific.

The intelligence consulting platform and publishing agency, Stratfor, reported on June 7 that a delegation numbering over 100 representing the U.S. armed forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrived in Taipei for a five day visit.

The delegation is reportedly scheduled to attend a closed door seminar Monday and Tuesday next week, where they are likely to meet top Taiwanese law enforcement officials and officials representing Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

News of the delegation’s dispatch and arrival in Taiwan comes only days after the sudden announcement that the U.S. was in the final stage of talks to provide Taiwan with US$2.6 billion worth of tanks and missiles, in order for the country to maintain its defensive capabilities against any potential attack from China    [FULL  STORY]

Environmental assessments needed for leopard cats: official

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/08
By: Lu Kang-chun, Ku Chuan and Chung Yu-chen

Taipei, June 8 (CNA) The government has demanded that local authorities should consider

Image taken from Leopard Cat Association of Taiwan’s Facebook page

the impact on endangered leopard cats’ habitats when conducting environmental assessments of development projects, Minister Without Portfolio Chang Chin-sen (張景森) said Saturday.

Chang’s announcement came in wake of the Miaoli County Council rejecting a bill to protect the endemic wildcat species Tuesday, enraging conservationists.

Chang said Saturday that he has directed the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture to survey the habitats of leopard cats, adding that Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou and Changhua counties are known to be areas in which the creatures live.

As leopard cats have been spotted in New Taipei and Hsinchu county, Chang said he has demanded that the local authorities conduct a study on the number and distribution of the animals.    [FULL  STORY]

Luzhou District marks Dragon Boat Festival with rice ball event

Radio Taiwan International 
Date: 07 June, 2019
By: Shirley Lin

New immigrants of Luzhou District exhibit zongzi or glutinous rice balls from their native countries. (Photo by Chen Guo-wei)

Friday is the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan, a time when people across Taiwan enjoy zongzi, or glutinous rice balls. The Luzhou District in New Taipei City held its own local event celebrating these rice balls for the eighth year in a row.

The event was free of charge and about 1,000 rice balls were also given out to attendees for free. Taiwanese style rice balls were just one of the attractions. There were also varieties new to Taiwan, introduced by Southeast Asian immigrants who attended the event in their traditional national dress.    [FULL  STORY]

Candidate Seeks Closer China Ties, Shaking Up Taiwan’s Presidential Race

The New York Times
Date: June 6, 2019
By: Chris Horton

Han Kuo-yu, the mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, at a rally Saturday in Taipei. He announced this week that he would run for president.CreditDaniel Shih/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A cacophonous sea of tens of thousands of people, dressed in red and waving flags, chanted and blasted air horns here in Taiwan’s capital.

After waiting for hours through rain and seemingly endless speeches, the crowd began cheering ecstatically when Han Kuo-yu, the new star of the opposition Kuomintang, finally arrived. It took him 10 minutes to reach the stage, shaking his clasped hands in appreciation as his admirers crowded him, hoping to get photos.

The rally last weekend was a prelude to Mr. Han’s announcement on Wednesday that he was running for president of Taiwan, jolting the race with a populist candidate who wants friendlier ties with China — a sharp contrast to the incumbent, Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects China’s claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.

“Why are we all here today?” Mr. Han asked the huge crowd, composed largely of retirees bused in from southern and central Taiwan. “Because the Democratic Progressive Party hasn’t improved people’s lives,” he said, referring to Ms. Tsai’s party.    [FULL  STORY]