Two opposition legislators and a pair of opposition party officials were subpoenaed by police yesterday for their conduct during the Double Ten National Day celebrations.
The investigation stems from scuffles between pan-green and pan-blue lawmakers which marred President Chen-Shui-bian's (陳水扁) Double Ten National Day speech outside the Presidential Office.
The event was attended by foreign dignitaries.
The day's festivities began with red-clad Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] and People First Party (PFP) legislators attempting to disrupt the president's speech, chanting "A-bian step down," making thumbs-down gestures and holding up red banners that read "Depose Chen."
"A-bian" is the president's nickname.
PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) also tried to lead his party members in approaching Chen during the middle of the president's speech.
One of the men subpoenaed, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Chao-jung (陳朝容), said yesterday that because the celebration's preparatory committee had erected a white cloth barrier separating the lawmaker's seats from the president's grandstand, the ceremony became "like a memorial service," so that he had decided to leave. However, he denied disrupting the ceremony.
"The police dare not probe big cases, but choose to investigate trivial matters like this," Chen Chao-jung told the press yesterday as he completed a police interview in Taipei.
PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄), also questioned yesterday, said he had not disturbed the marching honor guards, but ran between them using "rugby skills" he had learned at school.
The other two who were subpoenaed were PFP communications department deputy head Wu Kun-yu (吳崑玉) and Soong's secretary, Wei Chih-chung (魏志中). The pair were seen to hold signs reading "A-bian step down" behind President Chen.
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,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS