■ SOCIETY
Brothers to realize dream
Two brothers who have long suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare disease, will leave for New York to see the Statue of Liberty today. Teenagers Tseng Yi-kai (曾奕凱) and Tseng Yi-chi (曾奕棋) suffer from the inherited fatal disorder, which leads to a rapid loss of muscle strength and atrophy of muscular tissue. The brothers have long wished to visit the famous New York City landmark, which for them symbolizes freedom -- the thing they long for the most as they are confined to a wheelchair and are entirely dependent on other people. Paragon Investment Managers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Airlines and the New York City branch of the Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation have worked together to help the brothers realize their long-held dream.
■ EXHIBITIONS
Costume show opens
Fans of Peking Opera have an opportunity to see costumes and designs at an exhibition held at the Taipei Costume Cultural Center that opened yesterday and ends on Oct. 4. The exhibition features the works of actor-turned-designer Lee Chih-chi (李志奇) and a collection of props and costumes made by Lee's late father, Lee Huan-chun (李環春), a well-known actor in the field. Through the exhibition, Lee Chih-chi wants to share the charm of the ancient Chinese tradition and honor his father. The exhibition also displays a collection of costumes by the elder Lee, of which many items are more than half a century old and survived the Cultural Revolution. Headdresses and accessories used by Peking Opera actors are also on display, the Taipei City Cultural Affairs Department said.
■ DIPLOMACY
Chen Chu visits Hachioji
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) visited a Japanese electronics firm yesterday in Hachioji, a satellite of Tokyo, and was "deeply impressed" by its high-tech development. Chen, who arrived in Japan on Friday, was there to boost relations with the city of Hachioji, which established sisterhood ties with Kaohsiung in November last year. Chen hailed Hachioji's transformation from a city of contract manufacturers to one now focused on research and development, expressing hope that Kaohsiung could follow suit. Chen, who was heading a 39-member delegation of city government officials, said Kaohsiung hoped to strengthen exchanges with Hachioji -- the 23rd city to establish sisterhood ties with Kaohsiung.
■ CRIME
Cosmetics scam uncovered
The Taichung branch of the Ministry of Justice on Friday busted MOTIF, a cosmetics company that pretended it was an Australian firm. Having opened a number of stores nationwide, the company also claimed it was importing its products from Australia. The bureau determined that the products were in reality being produced at an underground factory in Taichung Country. It also found that the products contained banned ingredients such as the antibiotic Lincomycin and Dexamethasone, a steroid. One of its products, which the company claimed could cure acne, retailed for NT$1,800 (US$54) while costing less than US$1 to produce, the bureau said. The bureau said company employees would be charged with violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (藥事法) and fraud. The bureau has also contacted health authorities to ensure that the products are removed from the shelves.
■ GOVERNMENT
EPA asks for computers
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) is again calling for donations of second-hand computers that can be given to children living in the country's remote areas. Cheng Chi-pu (鄭啟璞), an EPA section chief, said that to narrow the digital gap between the rural and urban areas, the administration has been running the donation program since 2005. In the last two years, the EPA has distributed 1,500 and 3,800 computers respectively, Cheng said, adding that this year's goal is to send out another 3,800 second-hand computers. Those who want to donate computers can get more information on the Web at recycle.cier.edu.tw.
■ GOVERNMENT
Ministry to focus on parks
Lin Chin-rong (林欽榮), the new head of the Ministry of the Interior's Construction and Planning Agency, said that he will raise the profile of national parks and focus on national land-use planning. Speaking after assuming his new post, Lin said that the country has beautiful national parks and the first national ocean park will soon be established on the outlying Taiwan-held island of Tungsha (東沙). The agency will increase its publicity for national parks as part of its efforts to attract more local and foreign tourists, he said. Stressing the importance of land resources, Lin said that much greater attention will be paid to national land-use planning in the future. Existing policies on urban redevelopment are heading in the right direction, he said, adding that he would focus on implementing the policies and looking for areas where the agency's regulations could be improved, he added.
The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the PROTECT Taiwan Act, which stipulates that Washington would exclude China from participating in major global financial organizations if its actions directly threaten Taiwan’s security. The bill, proposed by Republican US Representative Frank Lucas, passed with 395 votes in favor and two against. It stipulates that if China’s actions pose any threat to Taiwan’s security, economic or social systems, the US would, “to the maximum extent practicable,” exclude China from international financial institutions, including the G20, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Board. The bill makes it clear that China
Garbage and recycling schedules are to vary from Saturday through Sunday next week over the Lunar New Year holiday period. The following collection information is from the governments of the six special municipalities. Taipei Regular service: Sunday to Monday next week. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Extra service: Friday next week. Regular service resumes: Saturday next week. New Taipei City Extra service: Sunday. Adjusted collection time: Monday next week — garbage collection is to begin in the morning and end at 6pm. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Regular service resumes: Friday next week. Note: Garbage can be dropped off at 70
A KFC branch in Kaohsiung may be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million (US$1,907 and US$6.37 million), after a customer yesterday found an entire AAA battery inside an egg tart, the Kaohsiung Department of Health said today. The customer was about to microwave a box of egg tarts they had bought at the fast-food restaurant’s Nanzih (楠梓) branch when they checked the bottom and saw a dark shadow inside one of them, they said in a Threads post. The customer filmed themself taking the egg tart apart to reveal an entire AAA battery inside, which apparently showed signs of damage. Surveillance footage showed
GROUP EFFORT: The number of inbound travelers rose 11 to 12 percent last month, with a significant increase in tourists from Europe and North America, an official said The government aims to attract 9.4 million visitors this year, the Tourism Administration said yesterday, citing last year’s success in diversifying tourist markets. Taiwan last year drew about 8.57 million international arrivals, 72.3 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels. By contrast, the nation had about 18.94 million outbound tourists last year, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 level of 17.1 million. The estimated tourism revenue deficit was about NT$700.9 billion (US$22.22 billion). Taoyuan International Airport Corp expects more than 160,000 passengers to pass through the nation’s largest airport daily during the Lunar New Year holiday, which begins on Saturday. As of Jan. 30, the nation’s average hotel occupancy rate
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