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Taiwan News Quick Take

■DEFENCE

Ma respects MND decision

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) fully understands and respects the Ministry of National Defense’s (MND) decision to stick to its plan to procure 60 US-built Blackhawk helicopters, MND spokesman Yu Sy-tue (虞思祖) said yesterday. Ma expressed his understanding of the ministry’s plan after hearing several high-ranking military officials defend the need for the purchase based on military considerations, Yu said. Ma instructed the MND to consult the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) further on the allocation and use of the helicopters after they are acquired from the US, Yu added. The MND announced on Sunday that it would proceed with the procurement of 60 Blackhawks, 15 of which will be allocated to the MOI to beef up disaster relief capabilities. The MND’s decision was a departure from Ma’s announcement on Aug. 18 that the military would buy only 45 of the 60 Blackhawks originally ordered from the US and reallocate the remaining NT$10 billion (NT$303 million) budget for the Blackhawks to buy disaster relief choppers and related equipment.



■SCIENCE

Taiwan to host science fest

Taiwan will host the Third International Earth Science Olympiad on Sept. 14 and include the 921 Earthquake as part of the themes of the competition, the Ministry of Education said. Su Te-hsiang (蘇德祥), director of the ministry’s Department of Secondary Education, said that about 130 students and their advisers from 15 countries were expected to arrive in Taiwan for the competition. Students will be required to take written tests and measure the changes in the land after the earthquake during a field trip to Nantou’s Train and Earthquake Memorial Park, Su said. Foreign students will have the opportunity to understand national disasters’ impact on people and the natural environment during the trip, he added.



■DIPLOMACY

Israeli envoy greets Muslims

Raphael Gamzou, the head of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO), recently sent greetings to the Muslim community in Taiwan at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. According to an ISECO press release, Gamzou, Israel’s representative to Taiwan, sent a letter to the head of the Muslim community in Taiwan, conveying “warm greetings of health, prosperity and peace.” In addition to his greetings of “Ramadan Karim” to A-Hung Ma Hsiao and his family, “Gamzou would like to greet the entire Muslim community of Taiwan, in the name of the citizens of Israel — Jews and Muslims alike,” the letter stated. The letter was meant as a goodwill gesture aimed at bridging cultural and religious barriers and easing longstanding tensions between Muslims and Jews, it said. Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset.



■ENTERTAINMENT

Group scoops honors

Taiwanese hip hop group Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) won awards for “Best Remix Song” and “Best Music Group” at the US’ Just Plain Folks Music Awards on Sunday, the first Taiwanese artists to be honored by the music awards program. The group’s album Kou!! It’s Coming Out!!! which received four nominations, also placed second for “Best Asian Album” and fifth for “Best Asian Song.” Kou Chou Ching mix traditional nanguan, Taiwanese chants, Taiwanese opera, hakka eight note music, Taiwanese and Aboriginal songs with hip hop, reggae and other popular music styles.


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