Icelandic pensioner blacklisted by Chinese government unfazed by China anger

Jónas Haraldsson speaks to media about his blacklisting by Chinese Communist Party government
International 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The government of the People’s Republic of China has blacklisted an individual from Iceland, after the island nation joined the European Union in sanctioning Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang Province, international news agencies are reporting, and the individual has been identified as a retired lawyer who wrote “negative” articles about the communist regime, according to the Icelandic press. “Beijing has sanctioned an individual from Iceland”, China’s embassy in Reykjavik announced, Friday, April 16, after Iceland joined the

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24 believers suffer burn injuries after temple firewalking ceremony goes wrong

scene of firewalking injuries
Health and Safety 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Twenty-two men and two women were treated in hospitals in Kaohsiung City this evening, after suffering burn injuries to their feet while participating a firewalking ceremony at a temple in Jiasian District. The Kaohsiung Fire Department received reports that multiple people had suffered burn injuries at 5:21 pm. Ambulances were dispatched from 7 fire stations in surrounding districts. Twenty people were taken to hospital in ambulances, while four sought medical treatment on their own. Among the 24 injured, two suffered

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Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association raises Japanese flag in Taipei for first time: no longer concerned about China’s feelings

Japanese flag flies over JTEA office in Taipei City
International Relations 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment

Japan’s representative office in Taiwan, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA) raised the national flag of Japan at its Taipei office this morning, April 17, for the first time in its 50-year history. Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Keiji Furuya took to Twitter today to say that JTEA had finally raised the Japanese flag, and that concern about Beijing’s feelings in the past had prevented the office from doing what should be a “matter of course.” Keiji Furuya wrote that

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Groundbreaking Win: Taiwan FDA Ends Drowning, Electroshock Tests on Animals After PETA Plea

White rat in a cage
Animals 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ,

Press Release from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Taipei — Today, after receiving PETA’s detailed scientific critique at the agency’s private request and more than 73,000 e-mails opposing animal testing from PETA supporters during a public comment period, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) made the groundbreaking announcement that horrific drowning and electroshock tests—previously conducted on scores of vulnerable animals—are no longer allowed in order to establish anti-fatigue claims for marketing food and beverage products. According to the TFDA’s final anti-fatigue health claim regulation, companies’ marketing

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Pro-cannabis legalization groups to hold “Marijuana Parade” in Taipei City tomorrow

marijuana legalization parade poster
Society 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , ,

Cannabis legalization advocacy groups will assemble for a parade in Taipei City tomorrow, Saturday, April 17, and police announced relevant traffic control measures today, appealing to the public to cooperate with traffic control. It is the third annual marijuana parade since the first was held in 2019. “The Green Wave” and other civil groups advocating the legalization of cannabis will gather in front of Taiwan’s parliamentary building, the Legislative Yuan, on the corner of Zhongshan South Road and Jinan Road.

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China orders more military training for high school students to strengthen “national defense”

A military officer trains high school students in china
International 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , ,

The Communist Party of China today ordered military training for high school students to be increased to a minimum of 56 class hours from August 1, 2021, with the goal of “strengthening the building of the national defense reserve force.” The National Defense Mobilization Department of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, and the Ministry of Education released the “Syllabus for Military Training for High School Students,” today, April 13. The syllabus will be implemented from

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SUV hits freeway maintenance truck at full speed: driver and passenger pulled out before car bursts into flames

car crashes and catches fire
Traffic Accidents 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Three people were injured after a Mercedes Benz SUV suspected of being in driver-assist mode hit a road maintenance vehicle without braking on National Freeway 3 today, April 13. At around 11:00 am the Mercedes Benz hit the slow-moving road cleaning team vehicle in the outer lane at the 195.5 kilometer mark in Changhua County, spinning 360 degrees before coming to a stop. Drivers in cars behind the crashed vehicle slammed on their brakes, and dodged the Mercedes, which was

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The first community fridge in Taichung: Building a hunger-free network in Taiwan

community fridge in Pingan Village, Taichung City
Society 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Press release by Mustard Seed Mission The Mustard Seed Mission (MSM) promotes the concept of “Zero Hunger – Build a Hunger-free Network”, achieving a sustainable environment by optimizing the value of food through sharing. No requirement nor condition asked, residents can get food from the community fridge whenever they need it. It is also a way to reduce waste of resources and show respect to the food producer. On April 7th, the first Community Fridge was launched in Pingan village,

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New warship a milestone in domestic naval shipbuilding: named after Taiwan’s tallest mountain

President Tsai Ing-wen and officials at ship launch ceremony
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment

President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the naming ceremony and launch of the navy’s first amphibious dock transport ship today, saying that the ship marks a milestone in domestic naval shipbuilding. The “Yushan,” named after Taiwan’s tallest mountain, Mt Jade, symbolizes the spirit of the national military who are not afraid of challenges, the president said. Built by Taiwan International Shipbuilding (CSBC Corporation TWSE: 2208 ), the 10,600-tonne No.1401, ROCN Yushan is designed to meet operational requirements for amphibious assault, and personnel

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Hong Kong’s public broadcasting service purged of democratic voices: journalist who challenged WHO with Taiwan question resigns

Hong Kong journalist Yvonne Tong and WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward interview March 2020
Media Issues Regional 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , , ,

The host of an English language news and current affairs program on Hong Kong’s public broadcasting service who questioned a WHO bureaucrat about Taiwan’s lack of membership in the organization has resigned, according to reports including Hong Kong Media outlet The Standard, March 12. The host of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) program The Pulse, Yvonne Tong, had been dogged by pro-CCP (Chinese Communist Party) organizations since asking assistant director-general of the World Health Organization, Bruce Aylward, whether WHO would

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Taipei Newspaper Association wants people to pay for news: urges government to help with relevant legislation

newspaper and notebook computer
Media Issues 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

The Taipei Newspaper Association called on the government to help change consumers perception that news should be free, saying that the rise of digital media has affected newspaper business operations. The call was made at a symposium titled “Digital Platforms, Content Websites and Online Advertising Industry Ecology and Disputes,” held by the Fair Trade Commission today, April 12. The symposium was attended by representatives from print newspapers, magazine publishers, online media, and a number of experts and scholars in the

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