WELL-WISHERS: Illinois Senator Barack Obama sent the most detailed statement, dealing with a long list of issues facing Taiwan as it contends with China's hostility
By Charles Snyder
The three candidates vying to become the next president of the US have all sent their congratulations to Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on his election, pledging support for good relations between Washington and Taiwan and heaping praise on the country's democracy.

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By Flora Wang
Following the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus' promise on Thursday to push for legislative reform, KMT caucus acting Secretary-General Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) yesterday proposed amendments to two sunshine bills.

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GOOD RELATIONS: The AIT chairman said strong ties between countries require honesty, making and keeping promises and avoiding `nasty surprises'
By Shih Hsiu-chuan And Jenny W.Hsu
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said that the transfer of power would be smooth and expressed his intention to meet with president-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) before his inauguration.

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NO BICKERING: Premier Chang Chun-hsiung was quick to dismiss reports yesterday that Hsieh had fallen out with President Chen after the election
By Shih Hsiu-chuan And Flora Wang
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday withdrew his resignation, which he tendered earlier this week following his defeat in last Saturday's presidential election, agreeing to retain the post until a new chairman is elected in May.

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THREE WISHES: The group has requests for the Chinese government, the International Olympic Committee and the international community
By Loa Iok-sin
A group of Tibetans in Taiwan launched a 49-hour hunger strike yesterday after a nearly two-week sit-in in front of the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall in protest at China's bloody crackdown in Tibet earlier this month.

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By Meggie Lu
In regions with low seismicity such as Europe and parts of the US, many bridge superstructures borrow ideas from Lego blocks in that segments are pre-cast and assembled at the final construction site.

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PAINSTAKING EFFORTS: The Halal certification means that the product meets stringent Islamic standards for raising, slaughter and packaging
Locally produced beef has won Halal certification, which means it is acceptable for consumption by Muslims, the Council of Agriculture (COA) reported on Thursday.

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Taiwan-based China Airlines (CAL) and Czech Airlines (CSA) have launched a new Taipei-Frankfurt-Prague passenger code-share service, which will bring greater convenience to passengers traveling between Taiwan and Eastern Europe, CAL said yesterday at the launching ceremony.

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Twenty percent of the "ghost money" burned in massive quantities during the Tomb-Sweeping Festival contains lead, the Consumers' Foundation said yesterday, prior to the April 4 festival.

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State-owned Taiwan Post Co (台灣郵政) might switch back to its old name "Chunghwa Post" after Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) president-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) assumes office in May, company sources said yesterday.

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By Flora Wang
Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) chairwoman Therese Shaheen issued a statement yesterday rebutting allegations by some local media outlets and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) that she would speak publicly about president-elect Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) green card status prior to last Saturday's presidential election.

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UPGRADE REQUIRED: CAA Deputy Director Lin Hsin-teh said Songshan Airport's facilities were out of date and not equipped for customs, immigration and quarantine
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By Flora Wang
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