The long-stalled arms procurement bill failed to pass the legislature's Procedure Committee for the 34th time yesterday. The pan-blue dominated Procedure Committee voted 18 to 14 to shelve the arms procurement bill as well as confirmation of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) nomination of Control Yuan members and 21 other bills proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus and its ally, the Taiwan Solidarity Union.
As there are many corruption cases awaiting investigation by the Control Yuan, DPP Legislator Cheng Yun-peng (
Yesterday marked the 16th time the committee has blocked the ratification of the president's list of nominees.
Cheng said that although he would personally support the idea of abolishing the Control Yuan, the government watchdog is required by law to perform its job before the Constitution is amended.
People First Party (PFP) Legislator Hwang Yih-jiau (黃義交) expressed his party's opposition to the confirmation of the president's selections of Control Yuan members, saying that his caucus would not accept nominees recommended by a selection committee made up of figures embroiled in controversy.
He also reiterated his caucus' strong opposition to the arms procurement plan, which he described as "unreasonable" and a plan that has been "hijacked by US arms dealers."
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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