Sun, Sep 27, 2009 page3

• Taiwan News Quicktake

  • STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
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  ■POLITICS

  Kuo relieved of status

  The Judicial Yuan’s Commission on the Disciplinary Sanctions of Functionaries resolved on Friday night to discipline former Government Information Office (GIO) staffer Kuo Kuan-ying (郭冠英) by relieving him of his public servant status. The commission also ruled that Kuo should be banned from serving as a government official for the next three years. Kuo had been relieved of his job by the GIO in March because of a number of online articles he wrote under the pen name Fan Lan-chin (范蘭欽) smearing Taiwan and Taiwanese. The Control Yuan voted on July 21 to impeach Kuo, saying that Kuo had publicized articles that defamed the nation and harmed the feelings of Taiwanese people and deceived his superiors.

  ■HEALTH

  Four hospitalized with flu

  Four more people have been hospitalized with the A(H1N1) virus, bringing the total number of patients hospitalized with the new flu strain to 296 since the outbreak began, the Central Epidemics Command Center (CECC) reported yesterday. CECC officials said the new patients, two male and two female, are aged between six and 10. Seventeen of the 296 patients have died, while 247 have recovered and 32 others remain in the hospital, the CECC said. As of yesterday, 326 classes in 257 schools around the country remained suspended because of A(H1N1) infections among students. The number of affected classes accounts for 0.32 percent of total classes, the CECC said.

  ■SOCIETY

  ‘City gardens’ encouraged

  To welcome next year’s Flora Expo, the Taipei City Government yesterday launched the first of a series of “city garden” programs to encourage citizens to grow flowers or potted plants in their garden or community. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition (Flora Expo) is part of the city’s “trilogy of international events.” As public participation was the key to the success of the Summer Deaflympics, he said he hoped to see citizens show similar support for the Flora Expo. Hau said he hoped the six-month event, scheduled to open on Nov. 6 next year, would attract between 6 million and 8 million local and international visitors. Those who did not receive the free potted plants at Da-an Park yesterday can try their luck at the city’s 24 Matsusei Supermarkets today, or visit the 124 offices of Evertrust Rehouse Co (永慶房屋) on Oct. 3. The last chance will be at the Taipei Flower Market on Oct. 4.

  ■ENVIRONMENT

  Tonnes of driftwood cleared

  Forestry Bureau Director-General Yen Jen-teh (顏仁德) said the bureau has cleared 460,000 tonnes of driftwood out of downstream areas in southern Taiwan, which was battered by floods and landslides that were caused by Typhoon Morakot early last month. Citing the bureau’s assessment of the damage, he said the flood had washed down an estimated 980,000 tonnes of driftwood, which has clogged downstream rivers, farmland and fishing ports in 110 townships. The government has outlined a variety of plans to make good use of the massive amount of driftwood left behind by Typhoon Morakot, including building a driftwood park, organizing a driftwood art contest and making charcoal out of driftwood, he added.
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