POLITICS
Shen sweeps Yu’s steps
The release of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) legislator-at-large list on Wednesday had an unintended victim. Former DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄), wearing shorts and armed with a broom, yesterday turned up at singer-turned-lawmaker Yu Tian’s (余天) house. Shen had previously wagered that Yu would not be included on the safe part of the DPP’s legislator-at-large roster, which is compiled based on the share of the overall party vote. After Yu was included at No. 14 of 34 on the list — well within the range of what the DPP expects to be elected next year — Shen immediately said that he would live up to his promise to sweep Yu’s house.
IMMIGRATION
Development group to open
The New Immigrants’ Development Association is to be formally opened today in Taipei as it seeks to push for better immigrant welfare and more government resources to aid their cause, the group said in a statement released yesterday. The association said it will also push for a specialized government agency to handle issues related to immigrants, such as education, employment and care for immigrants’ children. The group added that it is time the government thought seriously about developing a set of more integrated immigration policies as, citing information previously released by the National Immigration Agency, the nation’s immigrant population will reach 1 million by the end of the year.
CULTURE
Borboa exhibition opens
An exhibition featuring 20 watercolors by Mexican expatriate artist Francisco Borboa began on Friday in Taipei, according to the Mexican Trade Services Documentation and Cultural Office in Taiwan. The month-long show of landscapes, titled “Contemplation,” is Borboa’s latest exhibition since one on religious art last year, said Martin Munoz Ledo Villegas, head of the Mexican office. The exhibition, on the 15th floor of the Taipei World Trade Center International Trade Building, focuses on four natural elements of daily life — mountains, water, cloud and fog — all of which are inspired by the scenery in Mexico, China and Taiwan, he added. Borboa, a devout Catholic, said he uses his art to express his love for God and also for Taiwan, the country in which he has lived for more than 20 years. “Life in Taiwan is very beautiful and Taiwan’s people are very lucky,” he said. “I’m very lucky to live here and I’m very happy, too.”
SPORT
Lu gets journal mention
Tennis ace Lu Yen-hsun (盧彥勳) has been included in this year’s Wimbledon Journal, an annual publication that records important events during the two-week tournament, according to Lu’s official Web site. “Lu. Who? Lu! There did seem to be only one way to defeat Andy Roddick at the All England Club recently and that was deep into a fifth set,” it says about Lu’s stunning victory over the former top-ranked American last year. The journal is one of the traditions of the prestigious tennis tournament and covers the pivotal scenes of each day of the previous year’s competition. Lu, who beat Roddick to advance to the men’s singles quarter-finals last year, appears on several pages of the journal. In one of them, his photo is seen next to top female players including Belgian Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova of Russia. The journal also introduces Lu’s family, including his chicken-farmer father. This year, Lu did not advance past the third round of the men’s singles after losing to French player Michael Llodra on Sunday last week.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
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