■ Superstition
Infant-worshipper acquitted
A district court recently found a woman not guilty of preserving and worshipping the body of her sister's dead infant on the grounds that it was not a crime, a Chinese-language newspaper reported yesterday. The woman, 46, identified only by her last name, Chiang, told her financially troubled sister in 1999 that she could help her to bury the infant, who died during childbirth, the Chinese-language newspaper reported. Instead, she took the dead body home, placed it inside a transparent jar filled with preservative solution and worshipped it every day until she was caught and charged last year with negligent disposal of a dead body, the paper said. The court acquitted the woman, ruling that the fact that she placed the body inside the jar at home proved she had no intention of randomly disposing of the body, the paper said.
■ Food diplomacy
Gambia to get free rice
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday Taiwan will donate 1,000 tonnes of rice to Gambia, which is suffering a prolonged drought. Chen made the announcement during a meeting with Gambian National Assembly President Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, who arrived in Taipei on Monday for a goodwill visit. Noting that Taiwan and Gambia have maintained cordial relations, Chen said his administration is more than willing to help the West African country overcome its current difficulties. Chen said he had fond memories of his visit to Gambia in August 2000. Gambian President Yahya Alphonse Jamus Jebulai Jammeh made state visits to Taiwan in 1996, 2000 and last year. Dibba said his country appreciates Taiwan's assistance in its development in the past and will continue to support Taiwan's cause in the world arena.
■ Health
Seniors urged to get flu shots
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday urged those over the age of 65 to get their free flu vaccinations in appointed hospitals. Foreigners over 65 who have Taiwanese residence can also get the free vaccinations. Elderly foreigners who have only residence rights are not eligible for the free vaccinations this year, the CDC said. "But we are considering also granting elderly foreigners who have only residence rights free flu vaccinations," a CDC official said. "Perhaps next year the CDC will accommodate these foreigners in the free flu vaccination service."
■ Politics
Kaohsiung bill put on hold
The legislature yesterday ruled to table review of a bill that would grant Kaohsiung autonomous status as proposed by an independent mayoral candidate. The Economics and Energy Committee voted 31 to 20 to stave off the legislation that has the backing of both the KMT and the PFP. Independent Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Shih Ming-teh (施明德), who has spearheaded the campaign to turn the port city into a free-trade zone, said the legislation is the only way to reverse the municipality's economic downturn. But the DPP caucus is skeptical of the idea on grounds that granting Kaohsiung autonomous status would encroach on the authority of the central government. The party's caucus had issued a top mobilization order asking all committee members to attend the meeting yesterday.
Agencies
RSS