LOW RATING? : Responding to criticism that the administration set policies in reaction to media reports, the premier said he would not be so unpopular if he had done so
By Ko Shu-ling
Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) said yesterday he was satisfied with the one-month-old government's performance, while highlighting the need for improvement.

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PROTEST: A KMT lawmaker said up to one-third of the party's legislators would boycott the vote if a former DPP lawmaker were picked as a Control Yuan member
By Flora Wang
In a surprise move yesterday, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) nominated a former university president widely associated with the previous administration to head the Examination Yuan.

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By Loa Iok-sin
Pro-independence groups accused President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday of working for cross-strait unification under the guise of promoting economic development.

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By Flora Wang
With the dispute raging over the issue of government officials holding foreign residency cards, political observers have outlined the need for public hearings and rational discussion before any amendment to the Nationality Law (國籍法) is put to a vote in the legislature.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday that Taiwan's representative to Brazil Chou Shu-yeh (周叔夜), who has permanent residency in the South American country, tendered his resignation a few days ago.

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RULES CHANGED: The laws regulating Chinese traveling in Taiwan have been amended, but the MAC has yet to lift restrictions on local govenment heads going to China
By Shelley Shan
Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) officials have begun preparatory work to welcome the first group of Chinese tourists scheduled to arrive in two weeks’ time.

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By Loa Iok-sin
Marking the birthday of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, several human rights groups yesterday staged a demonstration outside the British representative office in Taipei, asking the UK — the second-largest investor in Myanmar — to pressure the junta for her release.

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By Ko Shu-ling
Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) remained noncommittal yesterday about building a pop music center in Kaohsiung, despite Mayor Chen Chu's (陳菊) request for help to make the plan a reality.

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed four more cases of severe enteroviral infection yesterday, bringing the total number of cases to 208 this year.

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TOURIST ATTRACTION: Critics said that it would be ridiculous to pull troops as long as Kinmen was part of the nation's soil, but that pulling some soldiers from the area could be possible
By Flora Wang, Jimmy Chuang and Ko Shu-lin
Reactions were mixed yesterday from lawmakers in response to Kinmen County Commissioner Lee Chu-feng's (李炷烽) suggestion that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) withdraw armed forces from Kinmen in a bid to boost Chinese tourism in the area.

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By Jenny W. Hsu
Taiwan's good relations with Japan could be damaged as the government tries to curry favor with Beijing if the administration continues to place cross-strait relations above diplomatic affairs, a group of academics said yesterday, adding that the recent Diaoyutai boat clash has decreased Tokyo’s confidence in President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

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By Jenny w. Hsu
The recent Diaoyutai incident provides a prime opportunity for Taiwan and Japan to resume talks on the sovereignty dispute over the islands and its surrounding waters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) said yesterday.

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