■ SPORTS
Taipei ready for Deaflympics
The 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009, which will be held in Asia for the first time, are expected to attract some 10,000 athletes and visitors to the country, organizers said. Emile Sheng (盛治仁), CEO of the Taipei Deaflympics Organizing Committee, said in Hong Kong on Sunday that all the venues for the sports event were fully functional and the main task at this stage was to train 8,600 volunteers. A series of promotional performances will also be staged during the run-up to the Games, which are scheduled for Sept. 5 to Sept. 15, Sheng said. Sheng, who was in Hong Kong to promote the Games, said singer A-mei (張惠妹) has been invited to perform at the opening ceremony. Hong Kong pop star Aaron Kwok (郭富城) has also been invited to serve as a spokesperson for the Deaflympics, Sheng said.
■ FESTIVALS
Music fest at the bay
The North Coast Ocean Music Festival will take place in Sanjhih (三芝) and Shihmen (石門) this weekend. Chu Chuan-wei (朱傳緯), director-general of the North Coast and Guanshan National Scenic Area Administration, said the festival will begin on Friday night at Cianshui Bay (淺水灣) in Sanjhih and feature some singers and bands popular with students, including Claire Kuo (郭靜), Punkhoo (胖虎樂團) and Walilei (哇哩咧樂團). During the weekend, Eric Chen (陳冠宇) and Philharmonic Moment Musical will present a classical music performance at Baisha Bay (白沙灣) in Shihmen. Approximately 10,000 people are estimated to attend the festival this year, Chu said.
■ TRADE
No decision on beef imports
The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday it had no timetable and fixed position on opening to US beef products. DOH Deputy Minister Sung Yen-jen (宋晏仁) told the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus at a press conference that the department was still negotiating with Washington over beef imports. DPP caucus whip Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) yesterday lambasted the government ahead of a possible announcement of the lifting of the ban on US meat from cattle more than 30 months old and beef with bones, saying such an action would jeopardize public health. “While Singapore and Japan are partly open to US beef, Austria, China and Turkey have total bans. Are Taiwanese lives cheaper than those of other countries?” Wang said. Legislator Huang Sue-ying (黃淑英) said the government should conduct a survey to gauge public opinion on a full opening to US beef before making a decision.
■ EDUCATION
Ministry to reduce exams
The Ministry of Education said yesterday it planned to hold senior high school entrance examinations only once —instead of twice — a year starting in the 2012 school year. To lessen the pressure on students, the ministry said it also planned to gradually allow more junior high school students to apply directly to senior high schools instead of having to take the high school entrance examination, starting in the 2010 school year. A minimum of 20 percent of the openings at public high schools and at least 35 percent of the spots at private high schools and private vocational high schools will be open for application, it said. The minimum proportion at public high schools is expected to rise to 40 percent, while the proportion at private high schools and private vocational high schools is expected to reach 70 percent from the 2012 school year on, the ministry said.
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