BIG BUCKS: The EMG chairman claimed 7,000 staff faced a potential crisis if he were detained and said he had cooperated with investigators and would answer allegations
By Rich Chang
The Taipei District Court yesterday granted bail of NT$100 million (US$3 million) to the chairman of Eastern Multimedia Group (EMG), Gary Wang (王令麟), the second-highest figure in the country's judicial history.

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GRIM DISCOVERY: Robert Gates was expected to push for more steps to promote reconciliation in Iraq, a day after the remains of 13 kidnapped athletes were found
The US military, which just days ago completed its latest troop buildup in Iraq, has launched a large offensive operation in several al-Qaeda strongholds around Baghdad, the top US commander said yesterday.

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The US on Friday put new restrictions on high-technology exports to China and moved to create a pool of so-called "trusted customers" within the Chinese business community who will be rewarded for compliance with US guidelines.

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Lebanese troops unleashed an intense artillery bombardment yesterday against positions of Islamist fighters who have been holed up inside a refugee camp for almost a month.

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Hamas cemented its control over Gaza yesterday, seizing weapons from the routed security services of their Fatah rivals, as the home of iconic leader Yasser Arafat became the latest target of looting in the territory.

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