■ DIPLOMACY
Representative heads to US
Tung Kuo-yu (董國猷), Taiwan's new deputy representative to the US, will arrive in Washington tomorrow to assume his post, an official at Taiwan's representative office in the US said on Monday. Tung, Taiwan's representative to Greece before being appointed to the new post, is filling the vacancy left by Stanley Kao (高碩泰), who became representative to Hungary on Feb. 1. The officials said that Tung -- who has also worked at Taiwan's offices in Houston and New York and previously headed the Geneva branch of Taiwan's representative office in Switzerland and Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of International Organizations -- is familiar with Taiwan-US affairs and the operations of international organizations.
■ RESEARCH
NSC honors researchers
The National Science Council (NSC) yesterday lauded 173 outstanding researchers, including 100 college students, for their achievements in their fields of study. Awards included "Outstanding Contract Researcher Awards," "Outstanding Research Awards," "Outstanding Technical Transfer Awards," and "Outstanding College Student Research Awards" and recognized the work the recipients had completed over the last year. Three other researchers were also recognized for their accomplishments in collaborating with the industry and solidifying research results into concrete products. The awards aimed to encourage research, improve academic excellence, foster innovative technologies and develop young talent in science, NSC minister Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said at the ceremony.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
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