FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AIT halts Facebook updates
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday said it would temporarily suspend updates to its Facebook page due to a lapse in funding caused by the US government shutdown. Because of the lapse in appropriations, “this account will not be regularly updated until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety or security information,” AIT wrote on Facebook. “At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States, at the American Institute in Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung), as well as at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas, will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the post said. The US federal government shutdown began at midnight Eastern Time yesterday after a deadlocked US Congress failed to reach a spending deal. The shutdown, the first since 2018, would halt some government services and programs, and see some non-essential workers placed on unpaid leave, US media reports said. The AIT represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence of official ties.
Photo: Screen grab from the AIT Web site
TRANSPORT
Tigerair adds Japan flights
The Tainan City Government yesterday announced that Taiwan Tigerair is to launch new routes from the city to the Japanese prefectures of Kumamoto and Okinawa at the end of December, beginning with two flights a week on each route. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) wrote on Facebook that the new routes mark “an important breakthrough” in the city’s efforts to expand its international tourism market. The Tainan-Kumamoto route is to start on Dec. 23, with flights scheduled every Tuesday and Friday, while the Tainan-Okinawa route is to begin on Dec. 25, operating every Thursday and Sunday, the Tainan City Government said. Detailed flight schedules are to be announced at a later date. The Tainan Tourism Bureau said in statement that Tainan, Kumamoto and Okinawa are among the most attractive tourist destinations in Taiwan and Japan, and share strong connections in history, culture, cuisine and regional exchanges. Tainan and Kumamoto are both home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co facilities, while Tainan and Okinawa share a maritime cultural heritage shaped by sea trade, the bureau said.
SOCIETY
Nara donates NT$2mn
Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara yesterday announced a donation of NT$2 million (US$65,681) and a plan to raise funds in Japan to support Hualien County after severe damage caused by overflow flooding from a barrier lake bursting during Super Typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday last week. In a social media post, Nara announced that NT$2 million from merchandise sales during her ongoing touring exhibition in Taiwan, Hazy Humid Day, which has run since April 2023, would be donated to Hualien to help flood victims. Nara also announced that he would hold a fundraising event called “Marker Tattoos” at the “Kaze to Rock Imonikai” music festival in Fukushima, Japan, on Saturday and Sunday, where participants can have drawings on their arms with markers, with all proceeds to be donated to Hualien. The overflow flooding from the Mataian River’s (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake affected Guangfu (光復), Wanrong (萬榮) and Fonglin (鳳林) townships in the eastern county, causing 18 deaths and six people missing, and resulting in those communities being inundated with mud and debris.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
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