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Whale deaths could be related to decompression sickness: specialist

Focus Taiwan
2016/10/15 23:09:47
By: Amy Huang and Lilian Wu

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) A total of 12 whales have died over the past 16 days in Taiwan and the 201610150022t0001outlying island of Kinmen, the Taiwan Cetacean Society said Saturday.

Kuo Hsiang-sha (郭祥廈) said the society has tentatively ruled that the latest death — a 800-kilogram whale in Kinmen — was due to decompression sickness, caused by a sudden change in water pressure.

Kuo noted that there have been 12 cases of whales dying after being grounded in Yilan, Hualien, New Taipei, Pingtung, Taoyuan and Kinmen between Sept. 28 and Oct. 13.

He said that whales often surge upwards because of earthquakes, explosions or due to panic caused by such events.     [FULL  STORY]

Hung rejects KMT criticism of Xi meet

IT”S COMPLICATED:The KMT chairwoman said that there is a lot to coordinate with Beijing, and ‘it is not possible to explain to everybody about every detail’

Taipei Times
Date: Oct 16, 2016
By: Alison Hsiao / Staff Reporter

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday denied that party chairs typically report to the party caucus before meeting with their Chinese counterparts.

Hung was asked by reporters about the KMT caucus’ complaint — expressed by caucus convener Sufin Siluko (廖國棟) — that they were not notified before the party’s headquarters announced that Hung would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on Nov. 1.

The chairwoman said she welcomed KMT lawmakers to “come and have a chat” with her at the party’s headquarters, but added that it is “not right” for them to complain about a lack of prior notice.

“The meetings between then-chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and former Chinese president Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), between then-president and then-chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese President Xi Jinping and again between then-chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and Xi all took place without reporting to the KMT caucus in advance,” Hung said.     [FULL  STORY]

Gov’t to pay for private schools’ security

The China Post
Date: October 16, 2016
By: The China Post news staff

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced an annual subsidy of NT$750,000 each for private universities and senior high schools to hire security officers that replace military instructors.

The policy are measures devised by the ministry as part of its plan to phase out within five years approximately 3,500 military instructors serving on campuses, among them 2,600 in senior high schools and 900 in universities, according to MOE officials.

Under the plan, senior high schools and universities will not be allowed to recruit any new military instructors through 2021.

The officials said the government would not reverse its plans, which the ministry describes as enabling all military instructors to exit campuses in a dignified way over the next five years.

Retired military instructors will enjoy priority selection for training to serve as school security officers, the officials said.       [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan works to strengthen trade ties with Malaysia

Taiwan Today
Date: October 14, 2016

A Taiwan delegation comprising representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and logistics

James Chi-ping Chang (front row, fourth left), head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, and GLCT Chairman Su Long-te (front row, fourth right) give the thumbs-up at the opening of a matchmaking event for Taiwan and Malaysian logistics firms Oct. 13 in Kuala Lumpur. (CNA)

James Chi-ping Chang (front row, fourth left), head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, and GLCT Chairman Su Long-te (front row, fourth right) give the thumbs-up at the opening of a matchmaking event for Taiwan and Malaysian logistics firms Oct. 13 in Kuala Lumpur. (CNA)

firms held a matchmaking event Oct. 13 in Kuala Lumpur aimed at enhancing exchanges between Taiwan and Malaysia’s logistics industries and related sectors.

The Taiwan-Malaysia Logistics Business Opportunities Seminar was attended by more than 30 companies. During the event, the Global Logistics Council of Taiwan, an industry group that helped organize the delegation, and Malaysia Green Business Association signed a memorandum of understanding on fostering cooperation.

“Under the New Southbound Policy, our government will continue to boost cooperative ties with Malaysia in such areas as trade, investment and education, and encourage Taiwan enterprises to expand their business links with the country,” James Chi-ping Chang, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said at the opening of the matchmaking event.

According to Chang, this year Taiwan plans to emphasize the promotion of cross-border e-commerce and multichannel marketing with the goal of fostering awareness of Taiwan products in Southeast Asia and strengthening regional integration in the logistics industry. “Malaysia can serve as a base for Taiwan firms to tap into regional markets.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Judicial head designate backs legalizing prostitution

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-10-14
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Judicial Yuan President-designate Hsu Tzong-li said during an interpellation session in the Legislative Yuan Thursday that he supports the legalization of prostitution to curb the illegal sex trade and prevent exploitation and abuse of sex workers from gangsters. Local women’s groups remain divided over this issue.

Hsu, a former Grand Justice, and Supreme Court Justice Tsai Chiung-tun were named early September as the nominees for president and vice president of the Judicial Yuan, respectively. The nominations have been sent to the Legislative Yuan for confirmation.

When asked by a law maker about his thoughts on prostitution during a legislative assembly Thursday, Hsu replied prostitution should be legalized because well-regulated prostitution can be relatively safe and profitable for sex workers, who mostly came from underprivileged backgrounds.

In Taiwan, proponents of legalizing prostitution believe it would reduce crime, help people out of poverty, get prostitutes off the streets, and allow consenting adults to make their own choices.     [FULL  STORY]

Hundreds celebrate Oktoberfest in Taipei

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/10/14
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) More than 300 people celebrated the first Oktoberfest co-hosted by the 201610140025t0001German Trade Office (GTO) and a local beer provider Friday, enjoying not only traditional German gourmet food and beer, but also musical performances and a festive mood.

Event attendants sang, danced and feasted on Bavarian dishes such as grilled pork knuckle and white sausage, as well as competed in an all-you-can-drink beer contest to observe the 500th anniversary of the German purity law for beer.

The law stipulates that beer can only be made of hops, malt, yeast and water, to ensure its high quality and authentic flavor.

The fair is an annual beer festival and traveling funfair that takes place in Munich each year. This year’s festival was held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3.     [FULL  STORY]

Precedent exists for meeting: Lin

‘EMPRESS’:Critics have said the coordination meetings upset the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches, giving Tsai power over both

Taipei Times
Date: Oct 15, 2016
By: Alison Hsiao / Staff reporter

In response to questions about the constitutionality of President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) high-level policy meetings, which are attended by government officials, lawmakers and party officials, Premier Lin Chuan (林全) yesterday said that former presidents had similar approaches.

Tsai on Oct. 1 announced the High-Level Policy Coordination Meeting, at which representatives of the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan, local governments, the Democratic Progressive Party caucus and high-ranking party officials have every Monday since its launch discussed and facilitated the creation and implementation of policies.

Critics have called the meetings unconstitutional, with some saying they upset the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches, with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) calling Tsai the “empress” behind the Cabinet.

When asked by reporters about the issue, Lin said that there should not be such a big fuss, as former presidents Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had conducted similar meetings.     [FULL  STORY]

Flight attendants demand CAL honor labor deal

The China Post
Date: October 15, 2016
By: Sun Hsin Hsuan

TAIPEI, Taiwan — China Airlines (CAL) flight attendants on Friday demanded that management

Ex-minister calls for labor insurance 'floor' Protestors throw eggs at the China Airlines' signboard at its Taipei Office on Friday, Oct. 14. China Airlines (CAL) flight attendants on Friday demanded that their management make good on promises made during a previous negotiation that had ended the first-ever strike in the nation's airline industry. (Arsene Lo, The China Post)

Ex-minister calls for labor insurance ‘floor’
Protestors throw eggs at the China Airlines’ signboard at its Taipei Office on Friday, Oct. 14. China Airlines (CAL) flight attendants on Friday demanded that their management make good on promises made during a previous negotiation that had ended the first-ever strike in the nation’s airline industry. (Arsene Lo, The China Post)

honor promises made during a previous negotiation that had ended the first-ever strike in the nation’s airline industry.

Hundreds of protesters pelted CAL’S Taipei Office signboard with eggs, at the same spot where they had staged a series of protests and an unprecedented overnight sit-in earlier this year.

Friday’ s protest was organized by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union and joined by Taiwan Railway Union and other labor organizations.

Five of the seven items agreed to by CAL management and union representatives on June 24 under the supervision of the Labor Minister Kuo Fong-yu (郭芳煜) had been breached or remained unachieved over the last four months, according to Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union Secretary-General Lin Chia-wei (林佳瑋).

Lin sharply rebuked CAL Chairman Ho Nuan-hsuan (何煖軒), calling him a thief.

“Without integrity, the company will not survive,” she said.     [FULL  STORY]

World Design Capital 2016 Taipei shifts into high gear

Taiwan Today
Date: October 13, 2016

The Network of Cities Meeting and International Design House Exhibition kicked off Oct. 13 in

Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Chin-jun (third left) attends an event Oct. 11 to promote a series of WDC activities being held later in the month. (Courtesy of Taipei City Government)

Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Chin-jun (third left) attends an event Oct. 11 to promote a series of WDC activities being held later in the month. (Courtesy of Taipei City Government)

Taipei, the most high-profile events of the city’s tenure as World Design Capital, an international biennial project recognizing the accomplishments of cities in the realm of design.

Officials and policymakers from around the world, notably Jussi Panjunen, mayor of WDC 2012 Helsinki, gathered for the one-day network meeting to discuss design-based solutions to the challenges of urban development. The exhibition, scheduled to run until Oct. 30 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, will explore the impact of WDC initiatives in Taipei.

“This month, more than 100 designers are gathering in Taiwan to build links and exchange thoughts. I expect these activities will inspire Taipei to continue coming up with outstanding design ideas,” Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Chin-jun said during a WDC promotional event Oct. 11.    [FULL  STORY]

2016 Taitung Bike Tour is up and rolling

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-10-13
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Honored in 2011 as the most sports-loving and most sports-friendly region in Taiwan, Taitung 6774602County has planned a “2016 Taitung Bike Tour,” which combines tourism with themed activities and transportation services via public and tour buses. The bike tour is part of this year’s Taiwan Cycling Festival.

As Taitung County continues to establish a high-quality sports environment and promote slow tourism, the county has offered two itineraries for the Fun Tour and two other itineraries for the Highlight Tour. Each of the tours will operate with a minimum of one person and up to a group of over than 10 persons with the most favorable prices. The tour is available from now until Nov. 15, and interested people are advised to register as early as possible.

*Independent Tour: Starting from NT$650 per person per day

*Group Tour: Starting from NT$899 per person per day

For more information, please visit TaitungBike.