Investigators slow to act on illegal porn: legislator
Investigators slow to act on illegal porn: legislatorBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterThe justice system has been slow in investigating pornography Web sites that allegedly contain videos of people filmed without their consent, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Mark Ho (何志偉) said yesterday. Prosecutors last month indicted Yu for contravening the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童級少年性剝削防治條例) among other offenses. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Mark Ho, left, speaks at a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesW said that he was seeking justice for a female friend who had been a victim in the case. Yu has posted messages online saying he has obtained Hong Kong and UK citizenship, and would move abroad, W said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
CSBC ends five quarters of losses
CSBC ends five quarters of lossesBy Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterCSBC Corp, Taiwan (台船) yesterday reported a pretax profit of NT$34 million (US$1.2 million) for last quarter, ending five consecutive quarters of losses. The turnaround could be attributed to cost improvements and lower foreign exchange volatility, a CSBC official told the Taipei Times by telephone. CSBC Corp, Taiwan chairman Cheng Wen-lung, sixth left, talks to company employees in Kaohsiung in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of CSBC Corp, TaiwanAs a result, its gross margin returned to positive territory last quarter, the official said. Last year, it reported a gross margin of minus-5.57 percent as its cost of goods sold exceeded total sales, company data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Citibank seeks to reassure customers
Staff at Citibank Taiwan Ltd’s branch in Taipei are pictured on June 30 last year. That did not suggest that it would be closing its consumer banking business in less than five months, they said. Citibank Taiwan actually planned to expand its local investment and recruit more talent at the beginning of this year, people familiar with the matter said. Meanwhile, DBS Bank Taiwan (星展銀行) yesterday said that it would not comment on market speculation that it would acquire Citibank Taiwan’s consumer banking operation. Citibank Taiwan reported a pretax profit of US$338 million for last year, ranking first among all foreign banks in the nation, company data showed.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
US delegation wraps up three-day visit to Taipei
US delegation wraps up three-day visit to TaipeiSEEKING CLARITY: Some members of the US delegation asked KMT legislators in a meeting to address their party’s position on the so-called ‘1992 consensus,’ sources saidBy Chen Yun / Staff reporter, with CNAA US delegation tasked by US President Joe Biden to reaffirm the country’s commitment to its partnership with Taiwan yesterday wrapped up a three-day visit to Taipei. The members of the delegation, all friends of Biden, arrived on Wednesday and met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and other government officials. A plane carrying a US delegation tasked by US President Joe Biden to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to its partnership with Taiwan leaves Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) yesterday. During the meeting, members of the delegation asked about the KMT legislators’ interpretation of the so-called “1992 consensus,” sources said. In response to media queries, Chiang yesterday said that he responded by clarifying the “1992 consensus” from three aspects.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
Control Yuan censures staff at Taoyuan juvenile facility
Control Yuan censures staff at Taoyuan juvenile facilityBy Chen Yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Control Yuan yesterday censured two employees at a juvenile correctional facility in Taoyuan over bullying and fights at the center. The branch, which is an Agency of Corrections’ facility, has higher incident rates than other centers, they said, adding that in one incident, 12 people ganged up on one person, indicating that the facility is out of control. Control Yuan members Yeh Ta-hua, left, and Wang Mei-yu hold a news conference at the Control Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesThe branch dean Chiu Liang-yi (邱量一) and staff member Lin Wen-chih (林文志) are unsuitable to remain in their positions, the Control Yuan said. Chiu and Lin should be immediately reassigned and the Ministry of Justice should find a more suitable dean for the facility, the Control Yuan said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
More than 100 questioned in TRA probe: prosecutor
More than 100 questioned in TRA probe: prosecutorBy Jason Pan / Staff ReporterMore than 100 people have been questioned in connection with a Taroko Express train crash in Hualien on April 2, Hualien Prosecutor Chou Fang-yi (周芳怡) said yesterday. The remarks came in response to criticism that slow progress had been made in the investigation of the incident. Hualien Prosecutor Chou Fang-yi speaks to reporters in Hualien City yesterday. Local media reported that the person is Hoa, who was allegedly ordered to warn incoming trains of the obstacle on the tracks. The investigation is also focused on corruption allegations involving Taiwan Railway Administration and government officials, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Fruit likely contaminated by nearby fields: council
Fruit likely contaminated by nearby fields: councilGOING BANANAS: The Council of Agriculture said it would strengthen regulation and inspection of fruit farms exporting to Japan to ensure product qualityBy Yang Yuan-ting and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerA shipment of bananas that was rejected by Japan early this month might have been contaminated by nearby fields, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday. Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday concerning recent agricultural issues. This means 30 percent of the fruit is tested per shipment, instead of the previous 3 to 5 percent per shipment, Chen said. Asked about local media reports about a shortage of agricultural packaging materials, Chen said that demand for cardboard packaging has surged as manufacturers and other businesses pick up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The council has taken steps to secure packaging materials for the 16 hardest-hit farmers’ cooperatives from the nation’s leading paper manufacturers, he said, adding that a platform would be created to distribute packaging materials to farmers.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Rally for cannabis to take place tomorrow
“Advocates in Taiwan are looking catch up with the global community on the decriminalization and medical use of cannabis, but the judicial system still restricts it and classifies it as an illegal drug. Any change will have to start with members of the legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee initiating amendments,” Lim said. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟) also urged lawmakers to review reports and scientific evidence on the benefits of medical cannabis and push for its decriminalization. However, it would be a long process due to opposition from some sectors and its current listing as a Category 2 narcotic drug under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例 ), he said. Tomorrow’s event is to start at 1pm on Jinan Road next to the Legislative Yuan, the organizer said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Tax act amendment set to plug tax evaders’ loophole
Tax act amendment set to plug tax evaders’ loopholeBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe Executive Yuan yesterday approved an amendment to the Tax Collection Act (稅捐稽徵法) that would increase fines for tax evasion, aiming to fix a loophole that allows tax evaders to get away with milder penalties. Under the existing act, people found to have intentionally evaded paying their taxes face a fine of up to NT$60,000 (US$2,114) or five years in prison. The amendment would increase the maximum fine for mild tax fraud to NT$5 million, it added. The amendment changes the reward for those who report tax evaders to 20 percent of the amount of taxes evaded or up to NT$4.8 million, although tax bureau personnel, tax inspectors, their spouses and close relatives are ineligible for rewards. The revised act is to be forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for further deliberation, the Executive Yuan said in the statement.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Transport minister Lin’s resignation is approved
Transport minister Lin’s resignation is approved‘POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY’: A mechanism for families affected by a train crash in Hualien would be put in place at the ministry before he leaves, Lin saidBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterPremier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) on Wednesday approved Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) resignation after informing President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of his decision, the Executive Yuan said yesterday. Tsai and Su considered it a top priority to resume railway service after the derailment, leading to the delayed acceptance of Lin’s resignation, Lo said. “The resignation was approved on Wednesday and is to take effect on Tuesday next week,” he said. “We are still interviewing potential candidates for the post and will announce when a new transportation minister is found,” Lo said. Premier Su Tseng-chang, second left, and Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung attend a mourning service in Taipei yesterday for victims of a Taroko Express crash on April 2.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
No defense alert during US talks: MND
No defense alert during US talks: MND‘MINIMAL RISK’: Chinese military activity near the Nanpeng Islands in the South China Sea was not designated ‘exercises,’ a national defense official saidBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNANo air defense missile systems had been activated before a US delegation arrived in Taipei on Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday ahead of a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. In Taipei, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) told reporters ahead of a meeting of the legislative’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee that Taiwan is tracking all Chinese military movements. Chiu denied that the military had put anti-aircraft missile systems and units on alert to ensure the safe arrival of the US delegation. The ministry did not report any Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, but there were two incursions by Chinese J-16 fighters yesterday afternoon.
Source:Taipei Times
April 15, 2021 15:56 UTC
Hsinchu tech firms still have enough water, officials say
Hsinchu tech firms still have enough water, officials sayBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAGovernment officials yesterday said that the technology sector in Hsinchu County has enough water for now, before touting water supply diversification as the solution to the county’s long-term needs. Hsinchu County Deputy Commissioner Chen Chien-hsien (陳見賢) and Deputy Minister of the Interior Hua Ching-chun (花敬群) made the remarks after inspecting the Jhubei (竹北) Water Recycling Center in Hsinchu. Members of the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee listen to a briefing by the Hsinchu County Government during an inspection of the Jhubei Water Recycling Center in Jhubei yesterday. There is enough water to supply Hsinchu “for now,” and the central government is making it its responsibility to ensure the county’s valuable tech sector does not run out of water, Hua said. The government has recently opened a desalination facility in Hsinchu City to provide water for household use, she added.
Source:Taipei Times
April 14, 2021 15:56 UTC
Kingray to gear up for approval as new vendor
Kingray to gear up for approval as new vendorBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterOptical filter maker Kingray (晶瑞光電) yesterday said it plans to raise capital to purchase equipment to massively expand production after it becomes an approved vendor for STMicroelectronics NV. “Getting that vendor code was a very difficult process,” Kingray chief executive officer Leo Tsou (鄒政興) said, adding that STMicroelectronics would be a “key client.”STMicroelectronics is the maker of time-of-flight (TOF) modules for Apple Inc, among other clients. TOF modules require a narrow band pass filter (NBPF) to isolate the infrared wavelength, which is optimal for facial recognition. Kingray Technology Co chief executive officer Leo Tsou, left, and chief financial officer Rio Lai pose for a photograph at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. “We are hoping to reach profitability possibly in the third quarter of 2021,” chief financial officer Rio Lai (賴俊文) said.
Source:Taipei Times
April 14, 2021 15:56 UTC
AU Optronics touts expansion in China
AU Optronics touts expansion in China‘WHOLE INDUSTRY AFFECTED’: Supply constraints might persist, and as its plants operate near full capacity, not all orders could be fulfilled, the flat-panel maker saidBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterAU Optronics Corp (友達光電) is planning to expand capacity amid strong demand for high-end display panels used in premium notebook computers and monitors during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, the company said yesterday. The firm plans to boost capacity at its sixth-generation plant in Kunshan, China, to about 36,000 sheets per month from 27,000 sheets, AU Optronics said, adding that the expansion would be ready in the third quarter of next year. Photo: Chen Mei-ying, Taipei TimesThe facility manufactures power-efficient low-temperature polysilicon flat panels for premium notebook computers and monitors targeting online gamers, it added. The company is also to allocate manufacturing capacity for panels used in notebook computers and monitors, Ko said. AU Optronics’ board of directors last month approved capital expenditures of NT$455 million for technology and capacity optimization and adjustments.
Source:Taipei Times
April 14, 2021 15:56 UTC
MOTC vows transparency in use of derailment funds
MOTC vows transparency in use of derailment fundsBy Chen Yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday at a Legislative Yuan hearing said that the spending of funds raised after the Taroko Express derailment on April 2 would be completely transparent and detailed online. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chiu Chen-yuan, center, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chi Wen-chung, right, answers reporters’ questions in Keelung on Monday. The MOTC stands by its promise to shoulder all responsibility necessary, Chen said, adding that the donations would not be used to pay for anything that the MOTC should cover. A committee has been established to oversee use of the funds and every expenditure is to be itemized and listed publicly on the Internet, Chen said. Chen said the MOTC has made such an effort and would work with the MOHW on the matter.
Source:Taipei Times
April 14, 2021 15:56 UTC