■ Computers
Dual-core laptops quicker
Laptops equipped with Intel Corp's Centrino Duo Processors work significantly faster than laptops with traditional Centrino technology. That was the conclusion of a recent test done on Centrino Duo models by Munich-based computer magazine PC-Welt. Dual-core processors offer 30 percent higher performance on average than laptops with one processor core and comparable features. The speed advantages are even greater when using programs tailored for dual-core processors.
■ Economy
S Korea reports Q1 surplus
South Korea posted a budget surplus of 7 trillion won (US$7.4 billion) in the first quarter, as faster economic growth helped the government to collect more taxes. The consolidated government balance, the difference between spending and revenue in general accounts, special accounts and public funds, gave a preliminary surplus of 7 trillion won, compared with a 5.5 trillion won deficit in the same period last year, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. South Korea's economy expanded a faster-than-expected 1.3 percent in the first quarter as exports climbed to a record and consumer spending increased. From a year earlier, the economy expanded 6.2 percent, the fastest in three years.
■ Energy
Toa Oil tank explodes
Firefighters battled flames and black smoke for more than two hours after an oil tank exploded near Tokyo yesterday, police said. No one was injured in the incident. A tank measuring about 10m across burst into flames at a seaside factory operated by Toa Oil Co, just west of Tokyo, at about 3pm, according to police spokesman Hitoshi Matsumura. The blaze was brought under control after about two hours, and fire officials were using a spraying agent to cool the tank, according to another police official who identified himself only as Shibata. The tank contained about 4,000 liters of an asphalt-related oil product. The force of the explosion blew the tank's lid off, Matsumura said. Toa Oil refines crude oil for Showa Shell Sekiyu KK, a major distributor to Royal Dutch Shell PLC, according to Toa's Web site. Calls to Toa Oil and Showa Shell headquarters went unanswered yesterday.
■ Mining
Manila won't revoke law
The Philippines government said yesterday that it will not repeal a law liberalizing the mining sector, rejecting appeals by environmentalists and influential Roman Catholic bishops. The statement came two days after a special presidential body headed by a bishop recommended the government revoke the license of Lafayette Philippines Inc, owned by Australia's Lafayette Mining Ltd, citing environmental damage from waste spills at its pits in the island of Rapu-Rapu. The recommendation had alarmed foreign mining firms, with officials warning it could set a precedent. But Ignacio Bunye, spokesman for President Gloria Arroyo, said the government wanted the country's natural resources "fully maximized" to help alleviate poverty. Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said on Friday that the government expected mining to generate US$5 billion to US$7.0 billion in foreign exchange annually and 240,000 jobs over the next six years. It should also produce tax revenues of 17 billion to 23 billion pesos (US$325 million to US$440 million), he said.
NO HUMAN ERROR: After the incident, the Coast Guard Administration said it would obtain uncrewed aerial vehicles and vessels to boost its detection capacity Authorities would improve border control to prevent unlawful entry into Taiwan’s waters and safeguard national security, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after a Chinese man reached the nation’s coast on an inflatable boat, saying he “defected to freedom.” The man was found on a rubber boat when he was about to set foot on Taiwan at the estuary of Houkeng River (後坑溪) near Taiping Borough (太平) in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口), authorities said. The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) northern branch said it received a report at 6:30am yesterday morning from the New Taipei City Fire Department about a
IN BEIJING’S FAVOR: A China Coast Guard spokesperson said that the Chinese maritime police would continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters it claims The Philippines withdrew its coast guard vessel from a South China Sea shoal that has recently been at the center of tensions with Beijing. BRP Teresa Magbanua “was compelled to return to port” from Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗沙) due to bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday in a post on X. The Philippine vessel “will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission” after it has been resupplied and repaired, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who heads the nation’s maritime council, said
REGIONAL STABILITY: Taipei thanked the Biden administration for authorizing its 16th sale of military goods and services to uphold Taiwan’s defense and safety The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$228 million of military goods and services to Taiwan, the US Department of Defense said on Monday. The state department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment,” the defense department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release. Taiwan had requested the purchase of items and services which include the “return, repair and reshipment of classified and unclassified spare parts for aircraft and related equipment; US Government
More than 500 people on Saturday marched in New York in support of Taiwan’s entry to the UN, significantly more people than previous years. The march, coinciding with the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comes close on the heels of growing international discourse regarding the meaning of UN Resolution 2758. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.” It resulted in the Republic of China (ROC) losing its seat at the UN to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from