■ DIPLOMACY
Hsu named EU representative
Former director-general of the National Security Bureau Shi Hwei-yow (?? has been named the new representative to the EU, the bureau announced yesterday. Shi, a judge-turned-politician who studied in Germany and is well versed in European affairs, will take over a post that has been vacant since last November, a statement from the bureau said. During his tenures as the bureau’s deputy director and director, Shi visited various EU countries on several occasions and submitted many policy proposals for government reference, the statement said. A legal expert, Shi started his political career by heading the legal service department at the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). He later served as SEF deputy secretary-general, as well as its secretary-general and vice chairman. During those tenures, he represented Taiwan in many rounds of talks with China in the 1990s. Shi, 57, has also been vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council and head of the Coast Guard Administration.
■ HEALTH
Swine flu cases confirmed
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday confirmed another five clusters of swine flu infections, including one at a hospital. CDC spokesman Lin Ting (林頂) said that one cluster case took place at the CDC’s research department. He said 100 people were confirmed to be infected by the swine flu virus, although all of them had only minor flu symptoms. As of press time yesterday, CDC statistics showed that there were 19 cluster infections, nine severe cases and one patient had died of the disease. Lin said that a simulation by Academia Sinica showed that at least 4,340 patients would be added to the toll of swine flu infections each week and that the number would increase. The simulation’s estimates came from results that combined case history data and reported cases. Lin said at least 6,000 to 8,000 cases a week are expected by fall.
■ ENTERTAINMENT
Auntie Wen-ying dies at 73
Entertainer Huang Ching-liang (黃錦涼), better known as “Auntie Wen-ying” (文英阿姨) died yesterday of lung cancer aged 73. The news of her passing was mourned by fans and friends in the entertainment industry. President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) had wanted to visit her during her hospitalization, but their offers were declined. Auntie Wen-ying was a household name in Taiwan. She started her career aged 19 as a dancer in a traveling cabaret-style troupe in 1953. She appeared in 34 movies and won a Golden Horse as best female co-star in 1992 for her role as a brothel manager in Hill of No Return.
■ TELECOMS
Dahu gets broadband
New Century InfoComm Tech, one of the nation’s major telecoms players, has started providing broadband services to Dahu (大湖) in Chiayi County’s Fanlu (番路) Township, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said on Wednesday. With the first broadband network for remote areas completed this year, the commission is confident of achieving its policy goal of “broadband for every tribe and village,” part of Taiwan’s telecommunications universal service program. The launch ceremony of the service was held at the township’s Dahu elementary school, the commission said. The service allows students to benefit from opportunities provided by an “e-learning” program. Of 730 Aboriginal villages, 54 still do not have access to broadband.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white
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