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Taiwan Quick Take

■ CRIME
Kidnappers run into Chen
Four gangsters who kidnapped a woman in Tainan County ran into President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) motorcade while making their getaway, local media reported yesterday. The Central News Agency said that a woman, whose name has not been released, shouted for help as the presidential motorcade passed by the kidnappers' vehicle on Saturday. Chen's security agents chased the vehicle for 20km, eventually succeeding in forcing it to a stop, security team leader Lei Ping-hua (雷炳華) said. The kidnappers surrendered and released the woman, Lei said, adding that two pistols and 20 rounds of bullets were found in their car.

■ WEATHER
`Lekima' not a problem
Tropical Storm Lekima, the 14th tropical storm in the western Pacific this year, formed in the South China Sea yesterday, but is unlikely to affect Taiwan, the Central Weather Bureau said yesterday. Meteorologists said that Lekima, located 800km southwest of Taiwan, was moving westward at 27km per hour. It is expected to slow down and move toward China's Hainan island. The bureau said a high pressure system to the north was expected to move toward Lekima, which could bring rain to the east coast.

■ CULTURE
Rotary Club sponsors rite
A total of 103 people between the ages of 16 and 20 from 12 countries attended a Confucian rite at the Confucius Temple in Taipei yesterday. Chen Chun-feng (陳俊鋒), head of Rotary International District 3520 served as chief ceremony officer. Chen said that the event was intended to give foreigners a chance to learn about Taiwan's culture and to prepare them for responsibility through participation in the ancient rite, which is an initiation into adulthood. Participants first dipped their hands in a golden bowl filled with water to symbolically wash away bad habits. They then made offerings to Confucius and made an announcement to gods and ancestors that they were prepared to enter this new stage of their lives.

■ CULTURE
Films festival takes stage
The Taiwan International Animation Festival will run at Shin Kong Cineplex in Taipei's Ximending District until Oct. 7. More than 300 animated films from Taiwan and abroad will be shown in three theaters. The films to be screened during the festival include 54 award-winning works from the US, Canada, France and Italy, and 12 US animation classics from the 1930s. Famous animators such as Tim Campbell, Jeff Chamberlain, Stephen Anderson, Stephen Chiodo and Paul Vester will answer questions from festival-goers following the screening of their works.

■ CULTURE
Nicaraguan minister to visit
Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos has been invited to attend Double Ten National Day celebrations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources said yesterday. This will be Santos' first visit since assuming office, the sources said. Relations with Nicaragua have become more stable since President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) visit in August, the sources said. The sources said Santos would bring along several high-ranking officials. The Santos-led delegation will meet with local officials to discuss how to increase cooperation in technology, investment, hydroelectricity, public health care and other areas. The trip will be formally announced in the next few days, the sources said.


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