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Taiwan News Quick Take

■ ENTERTAINMENT

Concert at Liberty Square

A concert dubbed "Sing For Freedom" will be held today at the newly re-named Liberty Square in front of the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall, previously known as the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the concert organizer said yesterday. The concert, organized by the National Cultural Association, will be hosted by local entertainer Joy Topper (豬頭皮) and Janet, host of Fun Taiwan, a Discovery Channel television program. Many foreign and local bands and singers have been invited to play diverse styles of music at the concert which is aimed at expressing peace and freedom, the organizer said.



■ TRAVEL

US visa fee set to increase

The State Department announced on Thursday that it will increase the fee for non-immigrant visa applications by more than 30 percent, from US$100 to US$131, starting on Jan. 1. The American Institute in Taiwan said yesterday that it had not received formal notification from the US State Department about the price hike. According to a statement from the State Department, the rise is to pay for increased processing costs and security enhancements implemented since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "Because of new security-related costs, new information technology systems, and inflation, the US$100 ... fee is lower than the actual cost of processing non-immigrant visas," it said in a statement.



■ AVIATION

Helicopter ban stays: CAA

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said yesterday that except for emergency medical relief, helicopters will still be barred from making rooftop landings. CAA Director General Billy Chang (張國政) was responding to a suggestion by Far Eastern Group (遠東集團) chairman Douglas Hsu (徐旭東) that the government should open helicopter routes between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and buildings in Taipei that can accommodate helicopter landings in view of the heavy traffic between Taipei and Taoyuan. Hsu's idea was supported by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌). However, Chang said that easing the restriction would negatively affect aviation safety. Chang said any private or chartered aircraft would have to apply for permission from the CAA before flying already fixed routes.
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