‘FOR HIS INCOMPETENCE’: A KMT legislator said that in light of the continued drop in the government’s approval rate, the date for a reshuffle could be pushed forward
By Shih Hsiu-chuan
A personnel reshuffle at the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) approved by outgoing FSC chairman Gordon Chen (陳樹) hours before the Executive Yuan confirmed Chen’s resignation could be controversial, Personnel Administration Minister Chen Ching-hsiu (陳清秀) said yesterday.

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By Mo Yan-chih
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed his confidence in the country’s ability to survive the financial crisis and urged Taiwanese to transcend their differences while working together to overcome the difficulties.

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WHAT TO DO?: The party has no plan to refer Chang Sho-wen’s case to its disciplinary committee, but will assess whether it would be proper for him to remain as party whip
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) said yesterday the party would not address the case of legislative caucus whip Chang Sho-wen (張碩文) for the time being, despite a district court ruling invalidating his election on the grounds of alleged vote-buying.

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By Celia Llopis-Jepsen
When local nongovernmental organizations teamed up to create an alliance against capital punishment five years ago, the implementation of the death penalty in Taiwan was still very secretive.

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The family of a Chinese scientist and businessman convicted of spying for Taiwan expressed shock and outrage at his execution and accused the Chinese government of keeping it “in the dark.”

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DEMAND IS LOW: MOFA officials say that at Kaohsiung International Airport, only about six or seven foreign passengers apply for a visa upon arrival every month
Kinmen County Government said yesterday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had rejected its request to set up a visa application office for foreigners, but insisted it would not give up its goal.

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FEWER ADOPTIONS: As more and more dogs are abandoned to the streets, animal shelters are hard pressed to find the animals a suitable home to live in
By Meggie Lu
As the economy continues to slump, more and more pets are finding themselves on the street, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday, calling on pet owners to act responsibly when dealing with animals’ lives.

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By Meggie Lu
The cold air mass hovering over the country is bringing with it strong winds that are mixing dust particles in the air, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said, adding that those with respiratory and heart diseases should avoid performing strenuous activities outdoors.

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AGAINST THE ODDS: Su Ching-fu, a man who enjoys reading and is skilled with computers, has been visually impaired since he was a child
By Loa Iok-sin
The Golden Eagle Award was given yesterday to recipients who have overcome their physical disabilities to accomplish outstanding achievements.

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The editorial on page 8 yesterday mistakenly referred to the father of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus secretary-general Chang Sho-wen (張碩文) being convicted of vote-buying on Friday. He was convicted on Oct. 24. In Friday’s trial, the Yunlin District Court annulled Chang’s legislative election victory in the first trial of a lawsuit involving alleged bribery. The Taipei Times regrets the error. [ FULL STORY ]