ALL FOR ONE: The foreign ministry rebutted a report that the KMT, the DPP and the legislature would be attending Barack Obama's inauguration in separate groups
By Loa Iok-sin
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday rebutted a media report that three separate delegations would attend the inauguration of US president-elect Barack Obama in Washington next Tuesday as members could not agree on who would lead the delegation.

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By Flora Wang
Legislators across party lines yesterday approved a bill that imposes harsher penalties for human traffickers and provides better protection for victims.

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TAX BREAKS: Lawmakers also voted in favor of cutting the inheritance and gift tax from 50 percent to 10 percent and raising the deductible to NT$12 million
By Flora Wang
The Legislative Yuan yesterday approved an amendment to the Act on Assisting Women and Families in Dire Conditions (特殊境遇婦女家庭扶助條例) that gives single fathers subsidies that were once only granted to women in need.

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By Flora Wang
Legislators across party lines yesterday passed an amendment to the Immigration Act (入出國及移民法) that grants residency to a large number of Thai and Myanmar students and Tibetans living in exile in Taiwan.

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The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed approved a statute governing the development of Taoyuan International Airport Zone, which will create a free trade zone near the airport where businesses will enjoy preferential taxes and fewer labor restrictions.

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CRUSHED: While disgruntled business owners slammed the government for a lack of clear rules, the John Tung Foundation accused it of misinterpreting the regulations
By Shelley Huang
On the second day since the new anti-tobacco regulation came into force, health officials yesterday continued issuing tickets to violators, mostly business owners who provided ashtrays or failed to display no-smoking signs.

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‘SLACK’: More than 50 notebook computers were purchased from Dell’s China agent, a move that broke the rule against purchasing China-made equipment
By Rich Chang
A Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator said yesterday the Army was using notebook computers made in China, which increased the risk that classified information could be leaked.

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By Jimmy Chuang
The Taiwan High Court yesterday found Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min (陳肇敏) not guilty in a slander case brought by former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), upholding an earlier district court ruling.

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By Shelley Huang
Dental experts yesterday confirmed a recent report linking chemicals in antiseptic mouthwash to oral cancer, prompting dentists to advise against using the product, especially people with open wounds or sores in the mouth.

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By Meggie Lu
The Eighth National Science and Technology Conference opened in Taipei yesterday under the theme pursuing scientific and technological innovation and creating value while building a good quality of life and a sustainable society.

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■ ANIMALS

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