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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Health
Needled patient sues doctor
A Hsinchu County woman is suing a surgeon for leaving a broken needle in her spine in an operation five years ago, the Broadcasting Corp of China (BCC) reported yesterday. The woman, surnamed Liu, underwent the operation in a hospital five years ago on a spinal deformity, which caused pain in her back and legs. The surgery was carried out by Dr. Pan, a neurologist, said. Liu continued to suffer pain in her back and legs and was given pain killers by the doctor. She recently went to a Taipei hospital for a check-up and an X-ray showed that a broken needle was lodged between the fourth and fifth vertebrae in her spine, the BCC said. She plans to sue the doctor for NT$3.5 million (US$110,000) to cover her medical costs and NT$1 million in compensation, the report said.

■ Society
Model hurt in China
Top model Lin Chih-ling (林志玲) fell from a horse and broke her breastbone yesterday during the filming of a commercial in northern China, her agent said. Lin was rushed to a hospital in Shenyang in the northeastern province of Liaoning, agent Fan Ching-mei said on CTI Cable News. "The horse galloped fast on a prairie and she fell," Fan said. "But her mind remains clear and she can speak in a weak voice." Fan said it was unclear if Lin will be treated further in China or Taiwan.

■ Society
MOI gives population figures
There were 459,578 Aborigines as of the end of last month, accounting for 2.02 percent of the nation's total population, according to statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior on Thursday. Compared with the year-earlier level, the number of indigenous people had increased by 9,823. Hualien County boasted the largest Aboriginal population, accounting for 19.29 percent of the total, followed by Taitung County with 17.13 percent and Pingtung County with 11.84 percent. Taiwan's population stood at 22,722,559 at the end of last month, a 0.364 percent rise from a year ago. The figure translates into a daily increase of 226 people. Last month, 15,920 babies were born, equivalent to one every 2.7 minutes, while 11,063 people died, or one death every 3.9 minutes.

■ Society
AIT to raise visa fees
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) announced on Thursday that it would be increasing the fees to process nonimmigrant visas. Beginning July 15, the processing fee will increase from NT$3,200 to NT$3,300, the AIT said in a statement. The increase was being implemented "due to the recent shift in the exchange rate" between the US dollar and the NT dollar, the statement said. Applicants for visas who pay the processing fee before July 15 will still be allowed to show a receipt for NT$3,200, the statement said.

■ Security
Chen: Taiwan can fight terror
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday the nation is willing to join the global fight against terrorism to maintain peace in the region and offered his condolences to the families of those killed in Thursday's terror attacks in London. "On behalf of the government and the Taiwanese people, I offer my condolences to those killed and injured in the attacks in London, and condemn international terrorism," said Chen. He said that Taiwan hopes to "join the international community to fight international terrorists and the crimes committed by them."

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