Long-term independence advocate Su Beng (史明) was hospitalized in Tokyo yesterday with uremia and kidney problems.
Sources close to Su said that his condition is serious and doctors are mulling whether to begin dialysis — a treatment for kidney complications — because of his age.
Born in 1918, Su turned 91 in September.
Originally named Shih Chao-hui (施朝暉), Su played an early role in Taiwan's independence movement and later wrote the book, "Taiwan's 400-Year History" during the 40 years he was exiled in Japan.
After martial law was lifted, Su returned to Taiwan in 1993 and worked as an independence activist while appearing frequently at events held by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that found him guilty of using violence or threatening behavior at a public gathering and other crimes during a 2005 protest against then-Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) visit to China.
Although he was sentenced to 230 days in prison, the court allowed him the option of paying a fine in lieu of serving time in jail as Su's actions did not cause injury or death.
The sources added that they were waiting for test results to see if his condition was stable enough to return to Taiwan for treatment. However, doctors have said that because of his age and deteriorating condition, the hospital is unlikely to discharge him for the time being.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued a sea warning for Typhoon Fung-wong effective from 5:30pm, while local governments canceled school and work for tomorrow. A land warning is expected to be issued tomorrow morning before it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, the agency said. Taoyuan, and well as Yilan, Hualien and Penghu counties canceled work and school for tomorrow, as well as mountainous district of Taipei and New Taipei City. For updated information on closures, please visit the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Web site. As of 5pm today, Fung-wong was about 490km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan's southernmost point.
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong would likely strengthen into a typhoon later today as it continues moving westward across the Pacific before heading in Taiwan’s direction next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. As of 8am, Fung-Wong was about 2,190km east-southeast of Cape Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, moving westward at 25kph and possibly accelerating to 31kph, CWA data showed. The tropical storm is currently over waters east of the Philippines and still far from Taiwan, CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said, adding that it could likely strengthen into a typhoon later in the day. It is forecast to reach the South China Sea
Almost a quarter of volunteer soldiers who signed up from 2021 to last year have sought early discharge, the Legislative Yuan’s Budget Center said in a report. The report said that 12,884 of 52,674 people who volunteered in the period had sought an early exit from the military, returning NT$895.96 million (US$28.86 million) to the government. In 2021, there was a 105.34 percent rise in the volunteer recruitment rate, but the number has steadily declined since then, missing recruitment targets, the Chinese-language United Daily News said, citing the report. In 2021, only 521 volunteers dropped out of the military, the report said, citing
Nearly 5 million people have signed up to receive the government’s NT$10,000 (US$322) universal cash handout since registration opened on Wednesday last week, with deposits expected to begin tomorrow, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. After a staggered sign-up last week — based on the final digit of the applicant’s national ID or Alien Resident Certificate number — online registration is open to all eligible Taiwanese nationals, foreign permanent residents and spouses of Taiwanese nationals. Banks are expected to start issuing deposits from 6pm today, the ministry said. Those who completed registration by yesterday are expected to receive their NT$10,000 tomorrow, National Treasury
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