■ INTERNET
Google expands AdSense
Google said on Wednesday it is expanding its advertising kingdom to include the booming online computer game market. AdSense for Games software that lets Web site operators weave video, text, or picture advertisements into online games is being tested in the US. Industry statistics indicate that more than a quarter of Internet users, approximately 200 million people, play games online and that their ranks are growing at a rate of 17 percent annually. “AdSense for Games gives game developers a new way to monetize their games and advertisers additional tools to reach their audiences,” Google said in a message announcing the software’s debut.
■ VIDEO GAMES
Sony, Microsoft in race
Video game rivals Sony and Microsoft are going head-to-head in virtual worlds for their home consoles later this year. Both companies announced their services, which use graphic images that represent players called “avatars,” at the Tokyo Game Show yesterday. Sony Corp’s twice delayed online “Home” virtual world for the PlayStation 3 console will be available sometime later this year, while Microsoft Corp, which competes with its Xbox 360, is starting “New Xbox Experience” worldwide on Nov. 19. Internet search leader Google Inc has unveiled a similar software service called “Lively.” Japanese companies have also set up such communities for personal computers.
■ JAPAN
PM calls for emergency aid
Prime Minister Taro Aso, alarmed by an escalating global financial crisis, called for more action yesterday to bolster the country’s faltering economy. Kosuke Hori, policy chief of Aso’s Liberal Democratic Party, said that the prime minister asked ruling coalition leaders to consider crafting an additional emergency package beyond the US$18 billion economic stimulus plan approved by the lower house on Wednesday. In the new plan, officials may turn to public works spending or tax breaks to boost securities trading, Hori said, referring to the situation as “extremely urgent.” The current batch of measures, expected to gain final parliamentary approval next week as part of an extra budget for this fiscal year, includes assistance to small businesses and other pump-priming measures to shore up the economy.
■ STEEL
ArcelorMittal outlook good
ArcelorMittal SA, the world’s largest steelmaker, said yesterday that it expected profits and cash flow to rise in the final six months of the year, despite a slowing economy. The company said EBITDA — earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization — would exceed US$8.5 billion in the third quarter and both EBITDA and cash flow during the second half of the year would be higher than the first half.
■ FINANCE
Ayala may bid for AIG unit
Philippines conglomerate Ayala Corp said yesterday it may bid for the Philippines unit of troubled US firm American Insurance Group (AIG). AIG this week put Philippine-American Life and General Insurance Co (Philamlife), the country’s largest and most profitable insurer, up for auction to help repay last month’s US$85 billion loan from the US Federal Reserve. Ayala told the Philippine Stock Exchange in a letter that it is “interested to look into the possible acquisition of Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co.”
RETHINK? The defense ministry and Navy Command Headquarters could take over the indigenous submarine project and change its production timeline, a source said Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s (黃曙光) resignation as head of the Indigenous Submarine Program and as a member of the National Security Council could affect the production of submarines, a source said yesterday. Huang in a statement last night said he had decided to resign due to national security concerns while expressing the hope that it would put a stop to political wrangling that only undermines the advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said that the admiral, her older brother, felt it was time for him to step down and that he had completed what he
Taiwan has experienced its most significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, data provided on Sunday by international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed. Compared with last year’s edition of the rankings, which measure academic excellence and influence, Taiwanese universities made great improvements in the H Index metric, which evaluates research productivity and its impact, with a notable 30 percent increase overall, QS said. Taiwanese universities also made notable progress in the Citations per Paper metric, which measures the impact of research, achieving a 13 percent increase. Taiwanese universities gained 10 percent in Academic Reputation, but declined 18 percent
BULLY TACTICS: Beijing has continued its incursions into Taiwan’s airspace even as Xi Jinping talked about Taiwan being part of the Chinese family and nation China should stop its coercion of Taiwan and respect mainstream public opinion in Taiwan about sovereignty if its expression of goodwill is genuine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu (劉永健) made the comment in response to media queries about a meeting between former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) the previous day. Ma voiced support for the so-called “1992 consensus,” while Xi said that although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have “different systems,” this does not change the fact that they are “part of the same country,” and that “external
UNDER DISCUSSION: The combatant command would integrate fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups to defend waters closest to the coastline, a source said The military could establish a new combatant command as early as 2026, which would be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters 24 nautical miles (44.4km) from the nation’s coastline, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. The new command, which would fall under the Naval Command Headquarters, would be led by a vice admiral and integrate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. It could be launched by 2026, but details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced, the source