■ Real Estate
Madame Chiang's home sold
The New York apartment of Taiwan's former first lady Soong Mayling (蔣宋美齡), popularly known as Madame Chiang, has been sold for US$10 million, a local newspaper said yesterday. The sale was confirmed by Kung Ling-yi (孔令儀), a niece of Madame Chiang, the United Evening News said. The ninth-floor apartment was owned by the family of Madame Chang's elder sister, Soong Ai-ling (宋譪玲). Madame Chiang died at the age of 105 last October. She had spent her last nine years in New York and is buried in Ferncliff cemetery outside the city. She was the widow of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), head of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and ruler of Nationalist China before and during the Second World War.
■ Diplomacy
Justice minister visits US
Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (陳定南) left for Los Angeles yesterday to take part in the 2004 conference of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). Chen will give a speech at the "state dinner" of the annual meeting, in which attorneys general from the 50 states of the US will participate. Taiwan has for many years dispatched prosecutors to attend the important meeting and has invited NAAG members to visit in order to bolster mutual understanding and exchanges. While in the US, Chen will also meet overseas Chinese in other cities. He is slated to return to Taiwan on June 30.
■ Community
Filipinos observe national day
The Philippine community in Taiwan celebrated the 106th anniversary of the Republic of the Philippines at the Taiwan International Workers' Association (TIWA) headquarters in Taipei yesterday. "It means a lot to the migrant community to be able to celebrate their country's independence day in a foreign community. It is a good way for them to come together," said TIWA chairwoman Susan Chen. Although the Philippine independence day falls on June 12, this year's celebration was held a day late so that workers could enjoy it on their day off. This year's celebration was organized by the Taiwan chapter of the Overseas Foreign Workers' Club, Tamshui Filipino Community, Samahang Makata, Genuine Ilokano Taiwan Association, Kasapi and the Cordillera Organization in Taiwan.
■ Diplomacy
Overseas staffers nominated
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) yesterday revealed various possible nominees for the ministry's overseas posts, including representatives to the US and Japan. Chen said that both Joanne Chang (裘兆琳), a researcher at the Institute of European and American Studies under the Academia Sinica, and Stanley Kao (高碩泰), vice permanent representative to the World Trade Organization, will be appointed as new vice representatives to the US. Kao will travel with Taiwan's representative-designate David Lee (李大維) to Washington to take over their new offices, Chen added. He also revealed that there exists a great possibility that his predecessor Eugene Chien (簡又新) will be named as Taiwan's new representative to the EU to fill the post left vacant by Lee. Furthermore, he said that the appointment of Koh Se-kai (許世楷) as Taiwan's representative to Japan should present no problems and that Koh's deputy, Chen Hung-chi (陳鴻基), will travel with him to Tokyo to take over their new offices. Chen announced on May 18 that Koh, a professor at Providence University in Taichung County, would be Taiwan's new representative to Japan.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
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