Sat, Feb 04, 2023 page3

• Taiwan news quick take

  • Staff writer, with CNA
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  SOCIETY

  Overstayer program unveiled

  A forgiveness program has been introduced to help foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas to leave Taiwan easily and quickly, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday. The measure encourages foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa to report to NIA offices across the country by June 30. As long as a minimum fine of NT$2,000 is paid before boarding an expedited flight out the country, such people would be allowed to leave without being placed in a detention center, it said. Draft amendments have been referred to the legislature with a goal of discouraging foreigners from illegally overstaying in Taiwan, the NIA said. The proposed amendments would increase fines for overstaying foreign nationals to NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000, with a ban on offenders returning to Taiwan extended from three years to 10.

  DIPLOMACY

  You Si-kun meets Moriarty

  Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫?), who has just concluded a three-day visit to the US, on Thursday said that he met with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman James Moriarty on Wednesday. US government officials handling labor, human rights and environmental issues were also at the meeting with Moriarty, You said, but he did not elaborate on what was discussed. On Thursday, he traveled to New York to meet with Taiwanese expatriate groups before departing for Taiwan in the evening. Earlier in the trip, he attended the National Prayer Breakfast, at which US President Joe Biden addressed more than 400 members of the US Congress, other US government officials and foreign guests.

  CRIME

  Mother sentenced for killing

  A woman was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison for killing her two-year-old daughter prior to attempting suicide, the Supreme Court said on Thursday in a final verdict that upheld a High Court ruling. The woman, surnamed Chen (陳), had attempted to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills before burning charcoal in a closed room where her daughter had fallen asleep after being fed strawberry jam laced with sleeping pills on April 11, 2021, the Shilin District Court said. The Shilin court said that Chen — who it determined has a long-term psychiatric disorder — had decided she would rather have her daughter die with her than be taken by the girl’s father. Her daughter died due to inhalation of excessive carbon monoxide from the burning charcoal, it said. In March last year, the Shilin District Court sentenced Chen to 12 years in jail for the intentional killing of a child. The case was heard again in August last year at the High Court, which shortened the sentence to 11 years and 10 months after Chen expressed remorse.

  HEALTH

  COVID-19 deaths top 100

  Taiwan yesterday reported 105 deaths attributable to COVID-19, the first time since the middle of July last year that the single-day death toll exceeded 100, Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) data showed. The CECC attributed the surge to a buildup of cases during the Lunar New Year holiday, during which many medical institutions were closed. It said that the daily number of deaths would likely decrease starting today. The deceased reported yesterday ranged in age from their 20s to their 90s. All but five had underlying health issues, while 47 had not been vaccinated against the disease, the CECC said.
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