title: 澳洲客運列車脫軌 2死多人受傷

content_text:
澳洲一列自墨爾本開往雪梨的客運列車今天脫軌，意外發生時列車上大約有160名乘客，這起事故導致2人死亡以及許多人受傷。

法新社報導，救難人員說，列車從墨爾本開往雪梨，並在墨爾本北方約50公里的小鎮瓦蘭（Wallan）附近脫軌。警方證實，這起事故造成2死。

乘客芮卡德（Scott Rickard）告訴澳洲廣播公司（ABC）：「東西從我們的桌子飛出去，乘客到處亂竄，行李也飛起來。」

意外發生在當地時間晚間7時45分，當時大約有160人在這班列車上。事發後，逾20輛急救車輛趕抵現場。


countries: 歐盟 中國 美國

content_text:
北京因不滿美國「華爾街日報」的一篇文章，昨天將報社3名駐北京記者的證件吊銷並要求離境。歐洲聯盟（EU）今天對此表達關切，稱這是中國對言論自由的最新攻擊。

「華爾街日報」（The Wall Street Journal）日前針對武漢肺炎疫情刊登標題為「中國是真正東亞病夫」的文章，引發北京抨擊內容「詆毀中國政府和中國人民抗擊疫情的努力」，且標題「帶有種族歧視色彩」。

不過，這篇評論文章的作者是美國巴德學院（BardCollege）教授米德（Walter Russell Mead），與3名被吊銷證件的華爾街日報記者無關。

歐盟外交安全政策發言人巴圖-恩利克森（Virginie Battu-Henriksson）今天發布聲明表示，這是北京利用簽證核發妨礙外國記者在中國工作的最新例證。

她說：「用拒發簽證和吊銷執照來報復一篇投書文章，這樣的行為令人擔憂，且可能進一步限制言論與意見表達自由。」

巴圖-恩利克森還表示：「歐盟全力捍衛全球言論自由，無論是在網路上或在現實生活中。我們將持續與中國對口單位在雙邊對話時討論人權處境。」

title: 中國驅逐華爾街日報記者  歐盟批攻擊言論自由


title: 疫情讓手遊市場發大財 中國App下載量創空前高

content_text:
隨著武漢肺炎導致上千萬中國大陸居民被限制在家，大陸遊戲和其他應用程式（app）下載次數創空前新高，意外帶動全球規模1,500億美元的遊戲產業。

倫敦金融時報（FT）報導，市調機構AppAnnie的數據顯示，自本月2日起的一周內，中國大陸用戶在蘋果App Store的下載次數就超過2.22億次；在本月前兩周，App每周平均的下載量就比2019年全年平均躍增四成。上述時間範圍適逢武漢肺炎疫情升溫。

分析師說：「今年的App下載量在農曆新年過後持續成長，原因是數百萬上班族和學生正透過手機App的遠端功能，作為回歸正常生活替代方案。」受影響影響，本月教育類App的下載次數為去年平均值的一倍；往常遊戲下載量會在農曆新年期間的大增，並在隨後幾周銳減。

基於預期足不出戶的中國民眾會帶動智慧手機買氣，也激勵一票遊戲上市公司的股價。中國最大手遊開發商騰訊股價漲抵20個月高點，市值突破5,000億美元；中國線上教育服務公司新東方（New Oriental Education）今年股價也躍漲17%。藍蓮花資本顧問公司（BLC）深圳董事總經理楊子瀟說：「疫情擴散速度超乎預期，為遊戲業者帶來商機。」

遊戲市場研究機構Niko Partners分析師Daniel Ahmad表示，中國遊戲在今年農曆新年期間的營收年增12%，隨著許多城市的商業活動停擺，這個成長勢頭延續年節後幾周。


title: 可圈可點  抗煞總指揮李明亮肯定陳時中和防疫單位

people: 陳時中 陳建仁

taiwan-subdivisions: 中和 成功

content_text:
此次新冠肺炎疫情，衛福部長陳時中擔任中央流行疫情指揮中心指揮官，專業形象圈粉不少，抗煞總指揮李明亮對陳時中和防疫單位的表現非常肯定，認為可圈可點。

在一場抗煞記者拜會「老指揮官」的聚會中，李明亮回憶SARS期間，他擔任總指揮，其實沒有辦公室、沒有發過一張公文、沒有會議記錄，沒有領過一毛錢。

但在他號召下，包括現任副總統陳建仁、陽明校長郭旭崧、前疾管局長蘇益仁、前健保局總經理張鴻仁等全力投入防疫，成功讓台灣脫離SARS疫情，李明亮戲稱這群人是「最好的烏合之眾」。

身為過來人，他了解陳時中的處境與壓力所在。他擔任抗煞總指揮時，每天晚上固定和抗疫伙伴從九點開會到十二點，很少會在十二點以前到家；到家之後，雖然很累，但腦袋裡頭想太多事情，無法入睡，必須要吃安眠藥。

那一年，他第二個外孫女出生，他接到報喜電話，只回了一句「ok。」就把電話掛了。過了幾天後，他才想起這件事，很高興地跟太太說，我們家裡多了一個成員。結果太太回他：「全家只有你不知道。 」

李明亮表示，這次防疫單位表現穩健，他也說，陳時中目前需要的是支持，不是干擾，而新病毒傳播力強，社區傳播難以避免，預估至少需要六個月的時間，目前疫情還沒有到頂 ，但前一段時間的圍堵，為我們爭取到醫護應變時間，多出一、兩個月準備期。

曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，此次衛福部長陳時中和防疫單位的表現，可圈可點。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，衛福部長陳時中目前需要的是支持，不是干擾。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，衛福部長陳時中目前需要的是支持，不是干擾。記者潘俊宏／攝影在一場抗煞記者拜會「老指揮官」的聚會中，曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，衛福部長陳時中目前需要的是支持，不是干擾。記者潘俊宏／攝影


content_text:
因新冠肺炎死亡、第19案白牌司機的妹妹，也就是第23案，她17日確診的消息傳出後，已引起她工作工廠員工恐慌，工廠傳出明將停工；還有人抱怨消息怎麼這麼晚才知道，工廠早該停工。

這將是台中市繼一家木業廠在18日因員工染疫全面停工後，第2家停工的工廠；而木器工廠感染確診的員工則是白牌司機的外甥女婿。

但是，中部防疫人員說，以防疫需求而言，只會要求與確診者有接觸史者才予以隔離；以木器工廠而言，全面停工是工廠自己的決定，中央流行疫情指揮中心並沒有要求這麼做。

根據中央流行疫情指揮中心指出，針對此案已掌握16名密切接觸者，有4人出現症狀，4人中1人採檢後確定陰性，其餘3人也已通報採檢，檢驗結果尚等待中。

中央流行疫情指揮中心指揮官陳時中昨曾指出，這名新確診的案23，也就是司機的妹妹正在住院治療中，不過因為在17日才收治住院，指揮中心在昨天的記者會前才收到確診的通知。

據了解，該公司員工是今晚接到公司以LINE工作群組通知「明天公司全廠停工」的消息，公司並請有請假或被居家隔離的人暫時先填停工單。

據了解，司機妹妹工作的食品工廠，位於當地工業區內，工廠分早班與晚班2時段上下班，今天下午仍有工作人員進出。

title: 白牌車司機妹工廠傳停工 防疫人員：隔離以接觸史為準


content_text:
17年前SARS疫情時，擔任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，目前台灣的防疫團隊按步就班，做得很不錯，但中國疫情混亂難以掌控，而且台灣在中國有百萬台商，防疫政策要更長遠，必需開始思考醫療能量是否足夠。

他建議，訓練三千名公衛尖兵應付未來隔離所需，徵召遊輪成為臨時隔離所，甚至發揮台灣科技實力，規畫全民體溫監測雲端系統，才能應付下一階段可能的社區疫情。

李明亮在一場抗煞記者拜會「老指揮官」的聚會中，做出上述建議。

美國疾病管制中心認為台灣已進入社區感染階段，雖然我只有零星社區感染個案，但以目前防疫準備能量來看，李明亮確實有點擔心，他表示，目前醫療準備能量足夠，但未來病人若多了十倍，還足夠嗎？

李明亮也說，這次疫情我們表現不錯，爭耳到了一到兩個月的準備期，日前機場檢疫缺人力，先有96人前來應徵，但他認為這不夠，要想想未來若有一兩千人需要隔離觀察治療，一個隔離的人需要三個人力計算，至少需要3000名人力才夠，他建議培訓公衛尖兵。

李明亮認為，公衛尖兵可以是醫療相關人員，也可以是相關行政人員，經訓練後發給證照，不只針對這次疫情，未來重大疫情都可以徵用；而受訓完成的公衛尖兵，其任職公司也不能拒絕國家徵召這群人，所需的費用可以第二預備金支付，把位階拉高到國家層級，發揮最大防疫能量。

至於傳出台灣負壓隔離病房只剩三成，李明亮也多次提出，應思考未來隔離處所。他分析，有人認為徵用軍區，但軍人要挪到哪兒去？而軍營多數都是通舖，糞水排洩系統較簡單，需大規模改造，反而利用海上遊輪，改裝後應可應急。

雖然此次鑽石公主號造成大批旅客集體感染，民眾對此很擔心，但李明亮認為，鑽石公主號是未做好隔離及動線區隔，才造成大規模感染，由於遊輪有獨立房間及醫務室，只需徵用靠窗房間，一人一間，中間未有窗戶的房間當成儲藏室，收納人數以原容量的一半即可，再改裝空調系統，就能隔離疑似個案，個案一旦確診，即移往醫院治療。

李明亮認為，醫療體系是最重要的防線，台灣也不能像中國十天蓋一間醫院，未來需要隔離治療的人數爆增，醫療院所將無法承受。至於醫事人力，需要醫師代理制度，培訓專科護理師或醫師助理都能讓人力運用更加有彈性，也能避免醫療癱瘓。

李明亮更站在公衛的角度，呼籲每家戶都需要有體溫計，全民每天量體溫。他表示，抗煞後期曾舉辦全民量體溫十天的活動，當時全民有百分之七十八響應，這樣的數據在國外演講時，讓常人驚嘆，研究顯示，如此有助於發現SARS患者。

此次新冠肺炎疫情，李明亮建議成立雲端體溫監測體系，呼籲每家戶應準備體溫計，全民每天量體溫，再將數據傳上雲端，與健保卡連線，透過大數據監測異常。對於隔離中的民眾，則要一天量三次體溫，防疫人員也要問對問題，不是問「有沒有發燒？」，而是要問「體溫幾度？」。

由於這次新冠肺炎的疑似症狀不只發燒，全民體溫量測系統還能加上其他症狀選項，列入咳嗽、腹瀉等，非常時期，有助傳染病監控，這項長遠的監測系統也能讓全民衛生水平往上提升。

此外，李明亮強烈建議，政府應該建立「全民量體溫，資料上雲端」的制度。一家平均三口人，政府出面讓一戶取得一隻便宜、堅固、耐用的溫度計，要求民眾每天量體溫，量得的溫度要上傳雲端系統。

當年指揮抗煞的總指揮，如今深居簡出，但李明亮說，他不可以沈默到連提倡量體溫制度都不發言，全民量體溫的制度建立起來，對於台灣防疫工作，將是最方便、最省錢、最可用的方法。

曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，抗疫期間切勿恐慌與自亂陣腳。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，抗疫期間切勿恐慌與自亂陣腳。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，流行病若不處理好可以亡國。記者潘俊宏／攝影

countries: 台灣 中國 美國

title: 名家破解新冠肺炎／李明亮：規畫全民體溫監測雲端系統


content_text:
台中市一家木業公司因員工家屬是新冠肺炎確診病例，公告通知全體員工在家自主隔離至3月1日。外傳台中市又有一家工廠因員工是確診病例，明日起停工，全廠員工居家隔離，外傳確診員工是死亡病例白牌車司機的妹妹。對此，台中市環保局否認有派員到工廠周邊消毒。台中市政府表示，「有關疫情部分由中央統一說明」。

台中市環保局長吳志超表示，開學在即，這幾天都忙著到台中市29區公私立近400所幼兒園、國小及國高中展開消毒工作，並未派員到工廠周邊進行消毒。

國內首例因感染新冠肺炎死亡的白牌車司機，死者家屬也確診，白牌車司機一家在1月27日聚餐，司機的弟弟也在同天確診，隔天又增加兩個確診案例，都屬於死者接觸者，包括個案的媽媽和外甥女婿，因為媽媽是同住。昨日新增第23例新冠肺炎確定病例，是死亡白牌車司機的妹妹，外甥女婿及妹妹都是1月27日聚餐才同桌接觸。

title: 傳台中又一工廠員工確診停工 中市環保局否認派員消毒


title: 抗煞總指揮李明亮：流行病可以亡國 防疫是國安問題

content_text:
2003年前，衛生署李明亮臨危受命擔任抗煞總指揮，一句「大家可以過正常生活」，讓大家拿下口罩，臉上多了笑容。

面對新冠肺炎疫情，他感嘆，17年前他就發現「流行病可以亡國」，目前大陸處理疫情的棘手可為對照。他表示，防疫是長期抗戰，需啟動國安機制，處理政治、國際問題、物資徵用，讓衛福部長陳時中全心專注防疫。

年過八旬的李明亮說自己「退出江湖」，但他其實是蔡英文總統最倚重的醫療顧問。在一場抗煞記者拜會「老指揮官」的聚會中，李明亮表示，曾向蔡總統建議，國安諮詢委員會應針對疫災設有專門委員，若人員編制不足，可採臨時任務編組。

如今面對新冠肺炎，李明亮建議，應該啟動國安機制，在國安諮詢委員會針對疫災設有專門委員，若國安委員人員編制有限，可以採用臨時任務編組，兼顧處理防疫的政治與專業議題，政治議題如兩岸包機，此時由公衛專家出身的副總統陳建仁擔任就非常適合，讓指揮官陳時中處理防疫專業議題。

李明亮說，是否要接台商回台灣，這樣的問題不是陳時中可以解決的，這屬於政治問題，應該讓陳時中心無旁騖地專心防疫。他坦言，台灣確實沒有能量可接收大量台商回台，接回來之後，將會導致台灣防疫體系也崩潰。

從武漢疫情的擴散，李明亮更再度驗證心中所想，流行病確實可能導致亡國，如果一個地區有半數的人民需要管控隔離，一個人民需要三個防疫人員管，醫療體系再怎麼堅固也不可能撐得住，將會變成人都關起來，自然存活下來的才有機會活下去，現在大陸就有點這樣的意味。

究竟台灣會不會變成武漢般崩潰？李明亮說，對於社區感染，能圍堵多久就圍堵多久，但是要做好充分的準備，如果我們失敗的話，很可能是因為老百姓恐慌，自亂陣腳所致。他也表示，陳時中和防疫單位表現可圈可點，但新病毒傳播力強，社區傳播難以避免，真正的挑戰還在後面。

曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，對於社區感染，能圍堵多久就圍堵多久，但是要做好充分的準備，如果我們失敗的話，會是因為老百姓的恐慌，自亂陣腳所致。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，新病毒傳播力強，社區傳播難以避免，真正的挑戰還在後面。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，對於社區感染，能圍堵多久就圍堵多久，但是要做好充分的準備，如果我們失敗的話，會是因為老百姓的恐慌，自亂陣腳所致。記者潘俊宏／攝影曾任抗煞總指揮的前衛生署長李明亮指出，新病毒傳播力強，社區傳播難以避免，真正的挑戰還在後面。記者潘俊宏／攝影

people: 蔡英文 陳時中 陳建仁


title: 【連署】聲援長榮空服員郭芷嫣：捍衛受雇者有免於公司監視個人私訊言論的自由

taiwan-subdivisions: 高雄 桃園

content_text:
文/桃園市空服員職業工會等團體

捍衛個人私訊的言論，不讓公司白色恐怖灼傷勞權！
 聲援空服員工會幹部，抗議公司秋後算帳！

連署網址：http://bit.ly/32bsBbn

這不是只是關於一位空服員的勞動權益，而是關於所有受僱者的工作權益。

受僱者難免有一些不愉快的工作經驗，可能在私人簡訊，或朋友LINE群組中發洩「抱怨老闆，怒罵機車同事」（但不涉及私訊給多數人構成侮辱毀謗的言論）。若個人因此被解雇，等於承認雇主可以隨時監控受雇者的情緒留言，以後沒人敢對自己的朋友宣洩工作上的苦惱。我們站出來捍衛私人通訊中的言論自由，請你連署聲援郭芷嫣，讓自己不要成為下一個郭芷嫣。我們也要站出來，支持工會幹部，抗議公司秋後算帳。

108／7／11 長榮空服員 郭芷嫣 收到了2個消息。

第一個消息是：她因作為空服員，在機上協助脫褲、擦屁股，導致身心受創案，向桃園市政府勞動局申訴後，認定長榮航空違反「性別工作平等法」，開罰40萬元。

另一個，是帶領長榮罷工的工會幹部郭芷嫣，同天收到長榮航空免職的消息。長榮公司解雇的理由是：郭芷嫣在私人認識7年的朋友LINE 群組中發牢騷，被流傳出去，成為公司以「飛安」為藉口解聘的理由。

事件起因是空服員罷工期間，長榮公司內部有強烈仇視參與罷工者的情緒。例如：機長徐若偉，就是站在公司在於臉書上公開發表仇視、敵對罷工員工之言論，例如：「窮得只剩下團結？我怎麼覺得桃空工敗得只剩下政客，…，強姦立榮的國內線，好意思說空服大團結？從頭到尾看不起你們這個工會！我的航班，只要讓我知道任何人霸凌我的組員，不管是口頭上的”汪汪汪“，或者心理上的。我保證，妳一定會消失在我航機的GD上。…給臉不要臉」。

郭芷嫣在私人認識7年的朋友LINE 群組中提及這公開的辱罵，有人在群組中問：「徐若偉是誰？」。郭芷嫣發牢騷提及：「entree要加料的人（暗指機長）」。

當私訊中的語言被洩露出去後，長榮未曾嘗試釐清事實，反而放任錯誤訊息流傳。郭芷嫣本人曾公開道歉，人評會現場也表示並無霸凌意圖，也無意加害機師；警察局說要傳郭芷嫣進行調查，但長榮航空卻說郭員「違反飛安」，情節重大，不等到調查完畢，就決定解僱了。

在私密群組裡面講話會影響飛安？我們必須還原原始語境脈絡：
 (一) 所謂「加料」，原文是「entree要被加料的人」，郭芷嫣對老同學用揶揄的語句形容，不是說她自己要去對機長加料，而是意指「那個機長發言的內容令人難以接受、不會被尊重」。
 (二) 同在私密群組的空服員並未當真，因為空服員的專業訓練以及同機一命的道理，為了旅客與自己的安全，不可能加害機長。
 (三) 長榮航空也未當真。在事件過後至今，長榮航空並未針對機上送餐SOP進行任何調查與檢討。
 (四) 徐若偉已經公開指稱工會成員會罷凌機組員，基此，工會幹部郭芷嫣，絕對是徐若偉的黑名單！絕對會消失在徐若偉的航班上！又怎麼可能去對徐若偉「加料」！又要如何影響飛安！

我們認為，長榮公司提到的「飛安」只是藉口，主要是要懲罰郭芷嫣在罷工期間的積極表現。作為工會幹部，郭芷嫣這幾年來協助學妹好多場勞資調解會議。罷工期間當外界的支持聲浪還未出現時，郭芷嫣積極展現領導影響力堅持罷工，為空服員低落的情緒打氣。加上，郭芷嫣向桃園市政府提告，認為長榮是違反「性別平等工作法」，對公司而言，真是眼中釘，非拔除不可。

我們需要你的連署，支持為空服員勞動權益打拼的郭芷嫣。
 我們也要你的連署，一起來捍衛受雇者有免於公司監視個人私訊言論的自由！

2月21日下午二點將在勞動部門口（台北市館前路77號），桃園空服員職業工會將召開記者會聲援郭芷嫣。三點勞動部將召開最後一次詢問會議，20天後，裁決結果將寄出。歡迎大家來聲援郭芷嫣。

發起人：
 成令方
 (台灣基進不分區立委候選人、台灣女性學學會監事、高雄醫學大學性別研究所退休教授)
 台灣女性學學會
 桃園市空服員職業工會
 台灣基進
 一起陪長榮空服飛翔 Fight For EVA Angels 社團


content_text:
文/公庫記者洪育增

農地違章工廠大火發生後，周圍農田收成的稻米能吃嗎？今〈20〉日地球公民基金會、消防員工作權益促進會共同召開記者會，將去〈2019〉年8月份彰化縣橡膠工廠大火波及的鄰田稻米取名為「火大米」，趕在明〈21〉天立法院開議前送給各新科立委。

民團藉由此一行動，呼籲立委應盡快處理《工廠管理輔導法》相關議題，並提出五大訴求，包括：違章工廠大火後地方政府應代位清除消防餘燼，並向業者求償相關費用作為鄰田作物等相關損失，也應統一以公糧價格收購受汙染稻米。

同時，民團呼籲經濟部應會同消防等相關單位，要求「特定工廠」符合防災配套措施，中央政府也應盡快公告《工輔法》，並增修公民訴訟等條文內容。

地球公民基金會藉由群眾集資、農友協力等方式，收購這批受汙染的「火大米」，送給新科立委、彰化縣議會、彰化縣政府、經濟部等各部會，盼中央與地方能共同檢視當前《工輔法》尚未公告等相關問題。

違章工廠「大火」汙染「火大米」 當地居民也害怕
 地球公民基金會山林組研究專員吳其融指出，這批「火大米」源自於去年發生於彰化縣埔心鄉永坡路二段一家橡膠工廠大火，廠內專門產製塑膠與橡膠鞋底等相關產品。

火災當時造成嚴重空氣汙染，鄰近學校師生、民眾必須戴口罩防護，工廠周遭1公里內居民甚至必須離開住宅，外出自主避難3天，以防危害健康。

事發一周後吳其融南下現場勘查，發現違章工廠周圍仍殘留火災後相關汙染物質，包括消防餘燼等，降雨後極有可能流入鄰近約20甲稻田內，造成更多汙染問題。

「這些米在目前的機制上應該驗不出有毒物質。」吳其融提到，據他蒐集資訊瞭解後，判斷該塊田區應無重金屬及農藥殘留等汙染，若要變成「商品」流入市面，也不會有太多關於「汙染檢驗」等問題。

吳其融強調，橡膠物質一旦著火，燃燒時間較長，燃燒過程中有可能產生戴奧辛、硫化物等物質，倘若沉降於稻田中，最後收成的稻米商品也會讓消費者有所疑慮。

再加上當地居民、農民觀察發現，當地通常10月中旬進行稻米收割，然而受違章工廠火災影響的20甲稻田，卻到12月初才有辦法收割。居民懷疑火災汙染是否延緩稻米成長速度，甚至主動詢問吳其融該如何處理稻米，也擔心稻米收成後若流入公糧，一旦成為國中小營養午餐，恐怕產生更多食安問題。

為了解決農民與當地居民的疑慮，地球公民基金會藉由群眾集資、農友協力等方式，收購這批受汙染的「火大米」，除了送給新科立委，也預計送給經濟部等各部會，以及違章工廠林立的彰化縣議會、彰化縣政府，盼中央與地方能共同檢視當前《工輔法》尚未公告等相關問題。

taiwan-subdivisions: 彰化縣 埔心 田中

title: 農地橡膠工廠火災疑汙染作物  環團送立委吃「火大米」


content_text:
2020-02-21 00:10:32

〔記者魏瑾筠／桃園報導〕農曆二月初二是土地公生日，主祀土地公的桃園市蘆竹海福宮提前於23日（農曆二月初一）舉辦土地公慶生活動，廟方說，活動從上午9點起至下午5點，現場準備限量雞排、熱狗免費發送，在臉書或IG打卡可拿到精美祈福吊飾，擲出3個聖杯還可以把金雞母帶回家，讓大家有吃有玩還有得拿。

福海宮總幹事林金聖說，23日上午11點現場會有免費胖卡發送雞排110份、熱狗140份，而且只要在福海宮臉書粉絲專頁或IG打卡，就可以拿到精美祈福吊飾流疏，限量400份，送完為止。

林金聖說，民眾還可於活動當天現場報名參加「擲筊送發財金雞母活動」，只要現場擲3個聖杯，就可以把約手掌大、1公斤重的可愛金雞母帶回家，當天晚上6點還有平安桌餐，每人500元，報名可洽：0989-706852，邀請大家踴躍參加，一同共襄盛舉。

taiwan-subdivisions: 蘆竹 桃園

title: 歡慶土地公生！蘆竹海福宮2/23發雞排、熱狗 擲筊送金雞母


title: 獨／國道烏龜車被罰 男提行政訴訟遭駁

content_text:
戴姓男子去年6月20日開車行經國道三號南向125.7公里處內側車道，遭警方以雷射測速照相機測得時速91公里，被依未達最高速度時速110公里行駛開罰3千元、違規記點，戴男不服提行政訴訟，主張當時開車以定速100公里行駛，無阻礙車流行為，警方擺明為了開單而開單；但法官勘驗警方蒐證畫面，認為戴男龜速占用內側超車道，明顯違規，既然合格考取汽車駕照，應對交通法規有所認知與遵守，警方裁罰無誤，駁回告訴。

戴男主張，調閱行車紀錄器，他當時開車以定速100公里行經國道125.7公里處，前後方均無車輛，並無車速過慢及妨礙車流等事實，卻遭取締開罰，警方擺明是為了開單而開單，有擾民之嫌，為了確保權益，他提行政訴訟希望將原處分撤銷。

警方則表示，值勤員警當天是以濟部標準檢驗局檢定合格的雷射測速照相機測得戴男車輛以時速91公里行駛國道內側車道，該路段最高速限為110公里，戴男此舉屬佔用內側車道未以最高速限行駛，違規事實明確。

法官勘驗警方蒐證畫面，只見當天天氣晴朗，戴男駕駛的轎車持續行駛在內側車道，起初前後方均無其他車輛，但半分鐘後，陸續有車輛出現在畫面中，且皆與戴男的車後方保持相當距離，戴男車輛前方則無其他車阻擋。

法官指出，高速公路及快速公路交通管制規則第八條第一項第三款規定，「內側車道為超車道，但小型車於不堵塞行車狀況下，可以該路段容許的最高速限行駛於內側車道。」

法官認為，戴男當天的駕駛行為足以影響其他車輛利用內側車道超車，進而影響國道行車安全與順暢度，戴男合法考領、持有汽車駕駛執照，理應對交通法規有所認知及遵守，縱使非故意，仍有過失責任，應當裁罰。


events: 死亡 武漢肺炎

content_text:
武漢肺炎疫情嚴峻，疫情指揮中心晚間表示，第23案白牌車司機妹妹，已掌握16名密切接觸者，當中4名出現症狀，4人中1人採檢後確定陰性，其餘3人也通報採檢，等待檢驗結果。（記者王藝菘攝）

2020-02-21 00:03:14

〔中央社〕武漢肺炎疫情嚴峻，疫情指揮中心晚間表示，第23案白牌車司機妹妹，已掌握16名密切接觸者，當中4名出現症狀，4人中1人採檢後確定陰性，其餘3人也通報採檢，等待檢驗結果。

武漢肺炎疫情嚴峻，中部地區傳出家族群聚感染事件，依據蘋果新聞網報導，台中市出現第二家工廠因為員工確診武漢肺炎，工廠近50人員工將全面停工，接受居家隔離，而且確診員工就是國內武漢肺炎首例死亡病例白牌車司機的妹妹，有2名員工陸續出現發燒症狀。對於是否停工或是什麼工廠，疫情指揮中心表示無法證實與回應。

中央社記者向台中市政府查證，是否有接獲中央要求配合到工廠附近消毒，市府回覆，中小學開學在即，環保局趕在23日前完成校園消毒工作，並沒有接獲中央要求派消毒車到公司消毒情形，「有關疫情相關問題，交由中央流行疫情指輝中心統一說明」。

疫情指揮中心監測應變官莊人祥晚間受訪表示，指揮中心無法透露病人隱私，針對第23案，已掌握16名密切接觸者，當中4名有出現症狀，出現症狀4人中1人採檢後確定陰性，其餘3人也通報採檢，等待檢驗結果中。

title: 指揮中心：白牌司機妹妹 掌握16名密切接觸者


title: 通緝犯怕疫情躲回台 桃園地檢設立臨時偵查庭隔離戒備

content_text:
新冠肺炎疫情升溫，據傳近日通緝犯落網數明顯增加，有人躲藏海外多年追訴期將屆，卻因當地疫情嚴重寧可逃回台被抓，桃園地檢署轄內桃園機場首當其衝，為避免和經通報居家隔離、居家檢疫的被告接觸，桃檢火速設置「防疫期間簡易偵查庭」，單就被通報被告隔離偵訊，避免疫情擴散。

桃檢轄內包括桃園市警察局10個分局、桃園市調處，航警局及各單位移送人犯，每天內勤訊問數量至少5、60件起跳，最高也經常破百件，加上桃園機場出入境人數多，由全台各地檢通緝的人犯，出入境國門被抓時都會就近委由桃檢代執行。

2月至今航警移送桃檢通緝犯已有12人，據傳有人躲藏中港澳地區多年，因當地疫情嚴重寧可跑回台灣，結果一進海關就被逮捕，內勤檢察官發現他追訴期快屆滿，問到回台原因時，當事人才吐露受到疫情衝擊，冒著被抓風險都要回國。

桃檢襄閱主任檢察官林秀敏表示，為避免人犯、被告當事人和地檢署同仁直接接觸，造成疫情擴散風險，當刑事案件被告被通報需居家檢疫，或是居家隔離者，會視案情程度考量，輕微者可透過視訊偵訊，而案情重大則會改到臨時設置的「防疫期間簡易偵查庭」訊問。

桃園地檢週二開會決議，隔天週三設置完成，經檢察長郭文東指示，由書記官長林文正、總務科、紀錄科及資訊室，選定在地檢署地下1樓停車場，以大約2個停車格空間，架設桌椅、電腦及相關文書，上方並增設拉了4展燈具照明。

而檢察官、書記官與被告中間，則保持大約2公尺距離，再放置鐵架掛設大型透明塑膠片，作為阻隔飛沫傳染防線，案件偵訊完畢若有聲請羈押強制處分必要，也會在聲請羈押書上註明當事人情形，提醒法院注意。

「防疫期間簡易偵查庭」設在桃園地檢地下1樓，一旁就是法警解送通道，有病症疑慮被告直接在外訊問，避免進入地檢署。記者曾健祐／攝影因應新冠肺炎，桃園地檢設立「防疫期間簡易偵查庭」，對於有居家隔離、居家檢疫被告，且案情重大者，將採隔離訊問。記者曾健祐／攝影因應新冠肺炎，桃園地檢設立「防疫期間簡易偵查庭」，對於有居家隔離、居家檢疫被告，且案情重大者，將採隔離訊問。記者曾健祐／攝影


title: 台東傳疑獵槍走火 男子左腹部中槍送醫

content_text:
台東縣延平鄉紅葉村今晚傳出一名50多歲男子疑填裝獵槍火藥時，不慎槍枝走火，子彈擊發出去打中左腹部，友人見狀立即打電話給消防隊。救護人員抵達現場時，發現中槍男子意識清醒，緊急送往台東馬偕醫院治療。至於槍枝走火原因，警方進一步了解中。

這起槍枝走火意外，發生在晚上10點22分左右，消防局勤務中心接獲民眾報案指出有人遭獵槍擊傷，立即派遣延平91及關山91救援，延平91到達現場時，受傷男子左腹部不斷流血，但意識很清醒，還可以對話，表示自己被獵槍子彈打中，救護人員隨即止血包紮，緊急抬上擔架送醫。

taiwan-subdivisions: 延平 關山


references: 臉書社團 臉書

taiwan-subdivisions: 新莊區 新北市

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新北市新莊區19日晚間8時許，某中醫診所突然遭到一名身穿新北市議會議長蔣根煌服務處背心的70歲老翁大鬧，疑似老翁不願配合診所規定佩戴口罩又欠費，遭到婉拒掛號，竟惱羞成怒狂譙護理師，還與候診民眾爆發口角衝突，警方獲報到場，老翁一度操閩南語挑釁員警、飆嗆「你開銃（槍）啊！」，還電話烙人助陣，最後被員警勸離結束鬧劇，這段過程被目擊民眾拍下影片貼上地方臉書社群，蔣根煌留言澄清，老翁非服務團隊，希望警方秉公處理。

據了解，大鬧中醫診所蘇姓老翁（70歲）因不肯配戴口罩看診，而被診所人員提醒應戴口罩，沒想到蘇翁怒嗆「我就無紮（沒帶）！」，診所好心遞上一只口罩希望他能戴上，不料因蘇之前看診尚有欠費，診所婉拒掛號，告知需繳清欠費才能掛號，蘇卻大鬧診所。

診所人員要求蘇翁冷靜，沒想到蘇仍持續對著診所人員、護理人員叫囂「你免哭父（不要靠北）」，甚至自稱自己是同心協會理事長，要診所不要太囂張；一旁其他候診民眾看不下去出言制止，反被蘇翁怒罵「你咧大聲啥」，更吼其他病患「猴囝仔，你給我出去！」，診所只好報警處理。

員警到場勸說蘇翁行為，蘇翁卻直接嗆員警「軟爛」，還說自己是民國51年開始跟過老蔣的人，被員警出言制止要求尊重，蘇翁此時狂言挑釁警察「開銃啊！開銃啊！」，還要求警察「出來外頭講！」，隨後打電話烙人助陣。警方將蘇翁帶出診所外後，老翁友人也到場，配合警方勸說他，最後蘇翁獨自一人悻悻然離開。

這場鬧劇被目擊民眾拍下影片，貼上臉書社團「愛新莊我是新莊人」，引起討論，新北市議長蔣根煌晚間透過臉書帳號回應留言，澄清蘇姓老翁雖身穿服務處背心，但並非服務處人員，同時希望警方「毋枉毋縱，秉公處理」。

蘇姓老翁因不戴口罩又欠費，大鬧中醫診所，被熱心民眾錄影存證。圖／翻攝自臉書社團「愛新莊我是新莊人」蘇姓老翁因不戴口罩又欠費，大鬧中醫診所，被熱心民眾錄影存證。圖／翻攝自臉書社團「愛新莊我是新莊人」新北市議長蔣根煌20日晚間聲明，表示老翁非服務團隊，希望警方「毋枉毋縱，秉公處理」。圖／翻攝自臉書社團「愛新莊我是新莊人」

title: 不配合戴口罩鬧翻診所 挑釁警察「開槍啊！」


title: 男女登山失足摔落邊坡百公尺卡崩壁下 警消清晨救援

taiwan-subdivisions: 泰武 成功 大武 潮州 內埔 屏東縣 瑪家

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屏東縣消防局昨晚接獲報案，有一男一女登山客在泰武鄉日湯真山失聯，消防局連夜搜救未果，今早又派遣搜救人員前往，並通知林務局人員前往協助，所幸一早8時許就在100公尺的深崩壁下發現兩人，意識清楚且能行走，兩人都說不需要就醫，已自行返家。

消防局表示，這兩名20多歲的登山客昨天前往日湯真山登山，到晚上都沒有回家，消防局接獲報案後，立即派人前往搜尋，但入夜搜尋困難，今天一早包括泰武分隊、潮州分隊、內埔分隊、瑪家分隊、特搜大隊都上山協尋，由第二大隊副大隊長蕭加和前往指揮，並通知林務局人員協助，前往登山口往日湯真山方向搜尋。

日湯真山就在北大武登山口對面，全程緩坡居多，平常吸引不少登山客，這兩名登山疑不小心滑落邊坡，所幸今天一早8時9分就在邊坡100公尺深崩壁下找到兩人，當時兩人意識清楚且能走，消防局立即架設繩索將兩人救上來。

兩名登山客登日湯真山不慎滑落邊坡百公尺，所幸警消成功救援。圖／屏東縣消防局提供兩名登山客登日湯真山不慎滑落邊坡百公尺，所幸警消成功救援。圖／屏東縣消防局提供


countries: 中國 歐盟 美國

content_text:
北京因不滿美國「華爾街日報」的一篇文章，昨天將報社 3 名駐北京記者的證件吊銷並要求離境。歐洲聯盟（EU）今天對此表達關切，稱這是中國對言論自由的最新攻擊。

「華爾街日報」（The Wall Street Journal）日前針對武漢肺炎疫情刊登標題為「中國是真正東亞病夫」的文章，引發北京抨擊內容「詆毀中國政府和中國人民抗擊疫情的努力」，且標題「帶有種族歧視色彩」。

不過，這篇評論文章的作者是美國巴德學院（Bard College）教授米德（Walter Russell Mead），與 3 名被吊銷證件的華爾街日報記者無關。

歐盟外交安全政策發言人巴圖-恩利克森（Virginie Battu-Henriksson）今天發布聲明表示，這是北京利用簽證核發妨礙外國記者在中國工作的最新例證。

她說：「用拒發簽證和吊銷執照來報復一篇投書文章，這樣的行為令人擔憂，且可能進一步限制言論與意見表達自由。」

巴圖-恩利克森還表示：「歐盟全力捍衛全球言論自由，無論是在網路上或在現實生活中。我們將持續與中國對口單位在雙邊對話時討論人權處境。」

（新聞資料來源 : 中央社）

title: 中國驅逐華爾街日報記者  歐盟批攻擊言論自由


title: 《央廣》擔憂武漢肺炎隔離者在家附近 烏克蘭爆發警民衝突

countries: 烏克蘭 中國

events: 武漢肺炎 COVID-19 冠狀病毒

content_text:
烏克蘭官員表示，數十位居住在中部地區的民眾，因為擔憂可能感染 2019 年冠狀病毒疾病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎），針對政府計畫在住家附近的醫院，將從中國武漢巿載回國的數十名國人與外籍人士收置醫院進行隔離，今天（20 日）在這家醫院外發起抗議，其中更有情緒激動的數位民眾跟現場維持秩序的警察爆發衝突。

官員表示，這家醫院位於中部波塔瓦（Poltava）的新桑扎里鎮（Novi Sanzhary），居住在醫院附近的數十位民眾今天封鎖鄰近醫院的一條道路。

對於民眾的擔憂，進而發起抗議，烏克蘭總統澤倫斯基（Volodymyr Zelensky）敦促國人展現包容與團結。

官員說，1 架載著 45 名烏克蘭人與 27 名外籍人士的烏克蘭客機，今天抵達烏克蘭東部的哈爾科夫巿（Kharkiv）。

烏克蘭內政部長表示，所有返國的國人與外籍人士都必須在新桑扎里鎮的醫療設施，接受為期 14 天的隔離措施。

烏克蘭衛生部表示，所有返國的國人及外籍人士都沒有人生病。

當地居民米凱伊克（Maksym Mykhailyk）告訴法新社說，政府已在醫院加強安全措施，並部署數百名武裝警察與 1 輛裝甲運兵車。

在武裝警察清除道路，讓載著遣返人士的巴士通行時，遇到抗議民眾擋路抗議，其中數人與警察爆發短暫衝突。

不過，當地警方表示，抗議與衝突過程中都沒有人受傷，或是遭到警方拘留。

烏克蘭至今並未確診武漢肺炎病例。不過，武漢肺炎已在中國奪走 2,118 人性命，確診病例超過 7.5 萬例，並已傳播到全球超過 25 國。

（新聞資料來源：中央廣播電台）


title: 西濱快速路油罐車和重型機車碰撞 騎士急救不治

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西濱快速道路台中清水段今天下午發生車禍，油罐車和重型機車碰撞，機重和騎士摔飛受傷，送醫急救不治，肇事原因和責任由警方調查中。

今天下午2點時32分，西濱快速道路台61線北上內側車道146公里處、台中清水路段，48歲謝姓男子駕駛油罐車，在西濱快速道路北上內側車道，44歲莊姓男子騎的重型機車要從外側車道變換至內側車道時，二車發生碰撞，二車都受損，機車和騎士摔到路中，送醫急救，下午3點40分仍不治，頭部重創。

台中市清水警分局對油罐車司機酒測，沒有酒精反應，警方呼籲用路人，行車務必遵循交通安全規則，以避免憾事發生。

西濱快速道路今天發生油罐車和重型機車碰撞車禍，騎士送醫不治。記者游振昇／翻攝


title: 濱崎步爆引退！　公開未婚生子後首開唱…IG文「真正的結束」網抖了

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記者陳芊秀／綜合報導

日本天后濱崎步於2019年11月秘密生下兒子，外傳老公是小20歲的男舞者，產前產後保密到家，震驚娛樂圈。她20日在埼玉縣舉行演唱會，也是巡迴公演的第一天，這也是公開生娃消息後，首度登台開唱，隨後IG動態再度引發眾人議論。

▲濱崎步生子消息曝光後首度開唱，身材變瘦臉削尖。（圖／翻攝自IG／濱崎步）

濱崎步產後不到3個月，再度以絢爛舞台開唱，如今臉蛋變尖，手臂和身材都消瘦許多。她更和眾多舞者在舞台上展現激烈歌舞，其中一段演出，要身穿純白禮服宛如婚紗唱歌，帶淚哽咽的歌聲令人印象深刻。

隨後濱崎步在限時動態更新，「這是真正的結束了，除了想起很多的回憶，今天又要開始，到場的聽眾，一起的夥伴，工作人員打造的夢幻的一夜，到最終站的沖繩為止會全力以赴，請大家多多指教！」她此次的巡迴演唱，是以「TROUBLE TOUR」為名，打從2018年展開的巡迴演唱，至2020年是最終章公演，因此受到歌迷熱烈期待，發文提到「真正的結束」，令人聯想到是在暗指「引退」，許多粉絲紛紛留言「是要引退嗎，千萬不要啊」、「感覺今年巡演結束就要引退的樣子」，同時也有人認為，天后是指演唱會主題的結束。

▲濱崎步更新限時動態，透露「真正的結束」爆引退。（圖／翻攝自IG／濱崎步）


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記者阮巧雯／綜合報導

美國流行天王賈斯汀提姆布萊克（Justin Timberlake）以歌手出道，在好萊塢闖盪多年，成功跨足影劇圈。他近日上訪談節目《The Graham Norton Show》自曝多年前演唱到一半，遭觀眾丟「尿瓶」， 回憶慘痛過去。

▲賈斯汀提姆布萊克出道多年，在音樂及影劇圈都留下不少好成績。（圖／翻攝自IG／justintimberlake）

2003年SARS爆發，當時全球陷入恐慌，英國滾石樂團為此在加拿大多倫多辦了一場慈善演唱會，賈斯汀提姆布萊克和澳洲搖滾樂團AC/DC都受邀。

▲▼不少歌迷都是為了滾石樂團（上）和AC/DC（下）而來。（圖／翻攝自IG／therollingstones、acdc）

演唱會當天湧入近50萬觀眾，但大部份都是為了滾石樂團和AC/DC而來，賈斯汀提姆布萊克上台前就對滾石樂團無奈說道：「我覺得等等反應不會太好。」

果真如賈斯汀提姆布萊克預期，演唱到一半時，觀眾席突然丟上數罐裝滿尿液的瓶子！觀眾更是狂噓他下台，但他相當敬業，依舊堅持完成演出。

▲賈斯汀提姆布萊克當時被丟尿瓶情景，依舊歷歷在目。（圖／翻攝自YouTube／The Graham Norton Show）

而當賈斯汀提姆布萊克唱到第5首歌時，觀眾突然停止往台上丟尿瓶，他幽默笑說：「他們要不是了解到我還會在台上待一陣子，已經沒力氣抗議，不然就是尿都尿光了。」

雖然他以幽默自嘲方式敘述事發過程，但也無奈苦訴：「這對我造成很嚴重的創傷。」

countries: 英國 美國 加拿大 澳洲

title: 賈斯汀慈善演唱會中途遭「丟尿瓶」！　觀眾狂噓…他苦訴：造成很大創傷


title: 大人給手機玩…4歲女兒主動拒絕「我不要」！　吳鳳曝教育理念：我很感動

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記者李湘文／綜合報導

藝人吳鳳從土耳其來台生活13年，常在臉書用中文分享家庭生活、對時事的看法，往往能吸引不少粉絲一起討論。他透露，最近帶4歲女兒Ekim去參加婚禮，沒注意到有位友人拿手機給孩子玩，沒想到Ekim直接拒絕「我不要，我不看手機」、回家還驕傲地告訴媽媽，讓吳鳳覺得很感動！

▲吳鳳4歲女兒主動拒絕玩手機。（圖／翻攝自臉書／吳鳳 Rifat）

吳鳳說明自己覺得感動的原因，是因為女兒自己學會選擇和判斷，「我相信這是每一位父母最想要的親子教育之一。畢竟我們沒辦法永遠陪他們，幫他們決定所有的事。父母最重要的事是讓孩子學會判斷Yes或No。」他認為，這2個單字雖然簡單，卻也代表孩子未來的成功和失敗。

吳鳳回憶成長過程，總是聽爸爸強調「要自己學會下決定，因為這是自己的人生」，促使他18歲就清楚知道學習和投資自己的重要性，有時候被朋友揪去玩，也能明確表示：「No！我現在不方便。」因為他懂得判斷什麼對自己有幫助，會多留一點時間好好讀書。

▲吳鳳認為讓小孩學會判斷Yes和No很重要。（圖／翻攝自臉書／吳鳳 Rifat）

不過，吳鳳也認為，雖然讓孩子學會判斷Yes或No很重要，但這樣的教育需要時間和溝通，如果逼迫他們，反而會造成反彈，「每一個No要有一個解釋。要讓孩子知道說No的原因，例如玩手機要說No，因為眼睛會壞掉，看太多電視會傷害腦袋發展跟身體，抽煙對健康非常不好等等。」但如果孩子知道如何分辨對錯了，也就有能力保護自己，讓父母安心。


countries: 台灣 中國

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首批武漢包機返台人員已經解除隔離返家，但仍有一群留在湖北的台胞還困在武漢；他們在昨天深夜發出陳情呼籲書表示，已經居家檢疫半個月以上，目前無人確診，希望政府盡快同意讓中國的包機載他們回台灣。

滯留湖北的台灣人苦等武漢第二批包機，等了半個多月仍沒有下文；19號晚間發出一封陳情書，向總統蔡英文與相關部會長官公開呼籲。他們希望能知道，為何政府一定要堅持派華航包機，也不知道台灣政府提出的優先121人名單怎麼判定；現在滯留湖北的台胞還有900多人，剩下的800多人要怎麼辦？

湖北荊門市台商協會會長簡俊男說：「我內容沒有在責怪政府的意思，可是這個也要特案處理，就是說這些人你把他接去了，你可以集中隔離沒有關係，你如果說一次900多人你沒辦法接，那你分批告訴我你什麼時候可以接，我好給這邊滯留的台灣人一個交代。」

陳情書裡還說，他們大部分是因為旅遊、探親臨時到湖北，他們的家在台灣，他們也愛台灣；其中有些人要上班賺錢、養家糊口，一些小孩眼看著要開學，卻無法回台念書，還有因爲急性或慢性疾病者要回台治病，如今卻有家不能回。籲請政府能夠體恤小老百姓，盡快同意讓東航包機載送他們早日回家。

簡俊男表示：「我目前看起來這是最快的方式嘛，因為東航已經走過一趟了，它已經有一趟成功的經驗，台灣也知道怎麼對接，萬一東航來我怎麼對接，因為你已經演練過一次了嘛。而且你演練這一次有什麼缺點你也很清楚，比如說你覺得說大陸會不會上來飛機裡面又有確診的案例，所以這一次可以要求更嚴謹一點沒有問題。」

中國國台辦則透過新華社，發稿指稱是民進黨當局阻撓拖延，後續包機計畫才會延宕至今，甚至批評我方提出必須由華航接運，都是充滿惡意的刁難和政治操弄。而對於台商返台的議題，在截稿前，尚未取得陸委會回應。

title: 滯湖北台人盼包機返台 寫信向總統陳情


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在《玩命關頭9》的最新預告中，粉絲驚喜目睹飾演「韓哥」的姜成鎬，大復活回歸，叫許多人感動得快掉下眼淚，事實上，另一個大家最希望看到的回歸角色，就是「神力女超人」蓋兒加朵，而且原來她還真的回來過，甚至是跟「韓哥」一起參加婚禮。

姜成鎬近日接受訪問時大爆料，原來他和蓋兒加朵曾經一起拍攝《玩命關頭7》，卻因為一個原因，最後把所有鏡頭都刪除了。但為什麼他們的那場戲要被刪掉呢？

《玩命關頭》系列的監製之一傑夫克斯奇布（Jeff Kirschenbaum）表示：「因為當時姜成鎬一點都不像韓哥！」姜成鎬則進一步解釋：「那時候我剛好另外在拍攝動作影集《Gang Related》，為了演出一位警察剪了短髮，雖然《玩命關頭7》的劇組有為我訂製一頂長假髮，但等我到亞特蘭大試戴時，那頂假髮在我頭上，就像長了雜草一樣，根本不是韓哥而是流浪漢。」

▲韓哥（右）的長頭髮，成為片段被刪除的主因。（圖／UIP）
結果就因為韓哥的髮型問題，劇組最後把這場戲全都給刪了，可是更令人驚喜的是，原來這場戲蓋兒加朵也有出現，姜成鎬爆料：「我和蓋兒加朵當時都有飛到亞特蘭大，分別拍攝了不同的鏡頭。那場戲講述我們一起參加馮迪索和蜜雪兒羅德里奎茲的婚禮，還擔任了唯一的證婚人，不過最後這場戲全都被刪掉。但我拍攝時其實也搞不清楚那場戲的用意，因為感覺有點詭異，我手上拿著一台舊的相機，和一台舊型號的錄影機，當時我還在想『這是什麼時候？是在拍40年代的戲嗎？』」

後來才知道，當時所拍的場景，其實都是閃回的片段，但最終觀眾依舊看不到姜成鎬和蓋兒加朵一起出現的鏡頭。如今「韓哥」能夠翻生回歸《玩命關頭9》，就希望某年某日，蓋兒加朵也回來吧，讓這對受歡迎的情侶檔再現大銀幕。

title: 神力女超人回歸《玩命關頭》　與「韓哥」一起參加婚禮


title: 澳洲客運列車脫軌 2死多人受傷

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（中央社墨爾本20日綜合外電報導）澳洲一列自墨爾本開往雪梨的客運列車今天脫軌，意外發生時列車上大約有160名乘客，這起事故導致2人死亡以及許多人受傷。

法新社報導，救難人員說，列車從墨爾本開往雪梨，並在墨爾本北方約50公里的小鎮瓦蘭（Wallan）附近脫軌。警方證實，這起事故造成2死。

乘客芮卡德（Scott Rickard）告訴澳洲廣播公司（ABC）：「東西從我們的桌子飛出去，乘客到處亂竄，行李也飛起來。」

意外發生在當地時間晚間7時45分，當時大約有160人在這班列車上。事發後，逾20輛急救車輛趕抵現場。（譯者：陳家倫/核稿：劉學源）1090220


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【NOW健康 陳敬哲／台北報導】原本不確定來源COVID-19（武漢肺炎）台灣第19例患者，今（20）日中央流行疫情指揮中心公布，確定浙江台商武漢肺炎抗體陽性，也就是該台商曾經感染武漢肺炎痊癒，確認家庭群聚事件感染源。另外，昨（19）日公布第24例患者，目前已追蹤361名接觸者，111名醫護人員都檢驗陰性，其餘檢驗中。

雙單位驗證 浙江台商檢出武漢肺炎抗體

中央流行疫情指揮中心專家諮詢小組召集表示，台灣武漢肺炎第19例原本來源不明，調查各項資料鎖定3人，其中1名浙江台商最有可能，因此3位人都採血檢驗，確認血液是否對武漢肺炎有抗體，檢體分送台灣大學與中央研究院，採用盲測方式化驗，都發現只有同一檢體呈弱陽性，結果也就非常明顯。

中央研究院生醫所研究員林宜玲也說，中研院與台大採用不同檢驗方法，3位檢體不清楚來源，檢驗發現其中1名具有SARS、MERS、COVID-19（武漢肺炎）的抗體弱陽性反應，推斷該檢體應曾感染武漢肺炎，結果也與台灣大學一致。中央流行指揮中心藉由兩個單位檢驗確認，浙江台商曾經罹患武漢肺炎。

先前第19例未能追出病源，美國疾病管制中心（CDC）認為台灣已經有社區傳染，與日本、新加坡、韓國等國一樣，但情況未擴大到需要旅遊警示，對此陳時中強調，第19例已經找到感染來源，將會與美方溝通目前台灣防疫現況。

第24例病況嚴重 因呼吸衰竭須插管治療

昨日22時30分中央疫情流行指揮中心，臨時發佈第24例武漢肺炎患者，今（20）日正式對外說明，陳時中說，該名患者家庭以外接觸者共352位，目前檢驗111人都陰性，都是醫護人員，其他正在等待檢驗結果，家庭內接觸者有9位，目前也已採檢等待結果。

陳時中補充，1月30日收治住院，2月10日轉入加護病房，17日才轉入負壓隔離病房，醫護人員感染風險相對較高，因此先針對醫護人員採檢。中央流行疫情指揮中心應變官莊人祥補充，該名患者應是除第19例死亡個案外，目前症狀最嚴重，因呼吸衰竭插管治療中，雙側肺浸潤狀況也比其他患者劇烈。

第24例常去卡拉OK 恐怕成追查漏洞

第24例患者目前感染源仍不明。莊人祥解釋，該名患者已經退休，發病前大多在公園運動、朋友唱卡拉OK、在家看電視等，會針對發前14天活動史調查接觸者，但追查至卡拉OK店時發現，目前該店沒有開門，不清楚暫停營業或歇業，將會持續追查確認患者在店內接觸狀況。

肺炎流感陰性、抗生素無效、沒疫區旅遊史 都未主動通報

陳時中：不可能全部懷疑

由於第19例與第24例狀況類似，都因肺炎入院治療，檢驗流感陰性，使用抗生素治療也無效，雖然沒有疫區旅遊史，但治療單位沒有通報，基層醫護人員質疑，現在是關鍵時刻，醫療團隊不太可能不去猜想武漢肺炎沒通報，陳時中對此回答，肺炎患者流感陰性且抗生素治療3天無效很多，不可能全部懷疑通報。

韓國升級旅遊疫情建議 日本不排除再升級

根據官方資訊，日本鑽石公主號606例（含本國籍5例）、新加坡84例、韓國82例、日本70例及香港65例為多，韓國因發生1起教會群聚事件，導致病例數快速上升，確診個案已38例，新加坡也有2起教會群聚事件，確診28例。中央流行疫情指揮中心決定，將韓國旅遊疫情建議提升至第1級注意。

另外也值得注意，根據日本NHK報導，日本鑽石公主號確認2名乘客死亡，約80歲男性與女性，讓日本籍武漢肺炎死亡人數增加至3人。台灣官方發佈國際武漢肺炎死亡人數，分別為香港、伊朗各2例，法國、及菲律賓各1例。陳時中也說，日本疫情如果繼續，不排除再提升旅遊疫情建議。

中國大陸病例數分析，累計確診74,576例，較前日新增394例，其中11,864例重症，2,118例死亡。

更多健康資訊一次滿足！點此進入【NOW健康】

countries: 美國 伊朗 台灣 菲律賓 日本 韓國 中國 法國 新加坡 香港

events: 武漢肺炎 COVID-19 死亡

title: 浙江台商檢出武漢肺炎抗體 第24例病況嚴重插管中


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武漢肺炎疫情席捲全球，不過在我國中央研究院的努力下似乎出現轉機。中研院今（20）日晚間發出消息，研究團隊已完成基因合成並進入生產抗原的階段，過去需要6個周時間，研究團隊這次只靠10天就完成，令人振奮。

中研院表示，為調查3位可能是臺灣首例因 COVID-19 死亡案例之傳染源，疾管署提供3位RNA病毒檢測陰性之血清檢體，希望中研院能協助瞭解其體內是否有新冠病毒抗體反應，在18日中午取得檢體後，便第1時間即投入新冠病毒抗體反應偵測，分析結果顯示3個檢體中有1個對SARS及新冠病毒核蛋白 （nucleocapsid protein）有抗體反應，對MERS核蛋白沒有抗體反應，另外2個檢體對前述3個病毒的核蛋白均沒有明顯抗體反應。

中研院指出，人體感染冠狀病毒後通常會產生大量針對冠狀病毒核蛋白的抗體，利用西方墨點法，將製備好的抗原利用電泳膠體分析後，經過薄膜轉漬，加入檢體血清進行抗體反應呈色，抗原製備是利用大腸桿菌進行冠狀病毒核蛋白的表達純化，並驗證其可作為病人血清抗體偵測的試劑。

中研院院長廖俊智表示，透過快速病毒基因合成，由本院數個研究團隊接力完成高效能抗原表現和純化，後續病毒檢驗、血清檢測、抗體篩選、藥品研發及疫苗開發，各學研單位也將在共享資源下，繼續為台灣抗疫、防疫貢獻心力。

events: 武漢肺炎 冠狀病毒 死亡 COVID-19 新冠病毒

countries: 台灣 臺灣

title: 中研院發威！武漢肺炎新抗原台灣誕生


title: 影／阿湯哥驚爆拍片「氣艇爆炸」而亡？新聞影片曝光

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湯姆克魯斯最近除了有新片《捍衛戰士2》即將上映，還忙著拍攝《不可能的任務》7＆8集，更透露這兩集極有可能是完結篇的上下集，將於2021年和2022年上映，就在網路瘋傳這項消息之際，居然又爆出英國媒體BBC的一張新聞截圖，內容指阿湯哥在拍攝《不可能的任務7》期間，因為充氣艇爆炸而亡，震驚全世界影迷。

幸好只是虛驚一場，原來那張BBC截圖，取自YouTube帳號TrendingToday的影片，該片假借BBC之名，發布了一段只有35秒的阿湯哥「死訊」影片，先以BBC慣用的「Breaking News」為片頭，又有女主持講到「我們現在有一則來自美國的突發新聞」後，隨即只放出一張「R.I.P湯姆克魯斯1962-2020」的照片，整支影片就結束了，一看就知道可信程相當低，但仍在網路傳翻天。

▲阿湯哥正在拍攝《不可能的任務》7＆8集。（圖／UIP）

經過多番求證之後，BBC以及各大新聞媒體，都沒有報導阿湯哥明「死訊」，這僅是一則假新聞，也就是TrendingToday開的一個玩笑。事實上，這個帳號只有27位訂戶，從以前到現在僅僅上傳5條新聞，而且全都跟明星的「死訊」有關係，除了阿湯哥之外，之前還有小賈斯汀、席琳狄翁、和饒舌歌手Drake等。

countries: 美國 英國


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（中央社布魯塞爾20日綜合外電報導）北京因不滿美國「華爾街日報」的一篇文章，昨天將報社3名駐北京記者的證件吊銷並要求離境。歐洲聯盟（EU）今天對此表達關切，稱這是中國對言論自由的最新攻擊。

「華爾街日報」（The Wall Street Journal）日前針對武漢肺炎疫情刊登標題為「中國是真正東亞病夫」的文章，引發北京抨擊內容「詆毀中國政府和中國人民抗擊疫情的努力」，且標題「帶有種族歧視色彩」。

不過，這篇評論文章的作者是美國巴德學院（BardCollege）教授米德（Walter Russell Mead），與3名被吊銷證件的華爾街日報記者無關。

歐盟外交安全政策發言人巴圖-恩利克森（Virginie Battu-Henriksson）今天發布聲明表示，這是北京利用簽證核發妨礙外國記者在中國工作的最新例證。

她說：「用拒發簽證和吊銷執照來報復一篇投書文章，這樣的行為令人擔憂，且可能進一步限制言論與意見表達自由。」

巴圖-恩利克森還表示：「歐盟全力捍衛全球言論自由，無論是在網路上或在現實生活中。我們將持續與中國對口單位在雙邊對話時討論人權處境。」（譯者：陳家倫/核稿：張正芊）1090220

title: 中國驅逐華爾街日報記者  歐盟批攻擊言論自由


countries: 土耳其 德國 敘利亞 利比亞

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（中央社記者何宏儒安卡拉20日專電）疑似極右派分子在德國西南部犯下很可能「帶有仇外動機的」槍擊案，至少10人喪生，其中包括5名土耳其公民。土耳其予以譴責，並呼籲歐洲國家團結對抗種族主義和仇外。

德國西南部城市哈瑙（Hanau）兩家可以抽水煙的酒吧昨晚相繼發生槍擊案。安納杜魯新聞社（AnadoluAgency）報導，土耳其駐德國大使艾登（Ali KemalAydin）證實，罹難者包括5名土耳其公民。

土耳其總統艾爾段（Recep Tayyip Erdogan）下午在總統府圖書館啟用儀式中說，希望德國當局恪盡職責偵辦這起「恐怖攻擊」，並強調安卡拉將密切關注偵辦進度。

歐洲過去一段時間發生多起種族主義攻擊事件，安卡拉批評柏林當局未能全盤掌握發動攻擊的右翼團體，對日增伊斯蘭恐懼症趨勢也未予以因應。土耳其總統府發言人卡林（Ibrahim Kalin）今天推文說：「種族主義是集體毒瘤。」他希望德國當局竭盡全力調查本案。

土耳其外交部今天在聲明中指出，「德國哈瑙昨晚令人髮指的攻擊是種族主義抬頭和對伊斯蘭懷抱敵意的嚴重新表徵」、「該是歐洲國家口徑一致，團結對抗種族主義和仇外的時候了」。

德國當局今天表示，從「恐怖攻擊」角度偵辦此一「帶有仇外動機」的槍擊案。警方今天一早對43歲槍嫌托比亞斯（Tobias R.）住的公寓進行攻堅時，發現托比亞斯和他72歲母親的遺體。當地媒體報導，他是德國公民，在遺書中表達極右派主張。

倫敦國王學院（King's College）反恐專家紐曼（Peter Neumann）推文指出，凶手在長達24頁犯案宣言中表示，自己懷恨外國人和非白種人。雖然沒有特別強調伊斯蘭教，卻呼籲消滅北非、中東和中亞國家。這些正好主要是穆斯林國家。

哈瑙位於德國金融重鎮法蘭克福（Frankfurt）東方約20公里。土耳其「每日晨報」（Daily Sabah）網站報導，德國極右翼暴力日增，尤其穆斯林和土裔等具移民背景者經常遭到帶種族主義和反伊斯蘭觀點的攻擊和騷擾。

來自中東、非洲和亞洲的大批難民，尤其敘利亞和利比亞人，於2015年湧入德國，伊斯蘭恐懼症的論調自此在當地甚囂塵上。（編輯：馮昭）1090220

title: 德國哈瑙槍擊土耳其人5死 安卡拉籲對抗仇外


countries: 瑞典 德國

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（中央社斯德哥爾摩20日綜合外電報導）德國與瑞典籌辦人士表示，由於氣候變遷威脅世界糧食供給，增長中的人口需要可永續糧食系統，瑞典已創立兩個100萬美元獎項，尋求餵飽數十億人口的解決方案。

德國波茨坦氣候影響研究中心（PotsdamInstitute for Climate Change Impact Research）主任羅克斯特倫（Johan Rockstrom）將共同主持這個獎項的評委會。

羅克斯特倫在聲明中表示：「我們需要糧食系統革命，否則可能破壞我們星球的穩定。新的糧食星球獎（Food Planet Prize）旨在為此目標做出貢獻。」

瑞典科特伯格福斯基金會（Curt BergforsFoundation）則指出，每年將頒發兩項糧食星球獎，第一項是獎勵「現有的可擴大永續糧食解決方案」，第二項則是獎勵「可能改變全球糧食產業的創新計畫」。

設在斯德哥爾摩大學的斯德哥爾摩復原力中心（Stockholm Resilience Center）負責人高登（LineGordon）指稱：「有可能在餵養100億人健康飲食的同時，也維持生機勃勃的生物圈。我們希望糧食星球獎能表彰可迅速擴展的最重要解決方案。」

全世界目前有78億人口，預計在2050年前成長至近100億。專家指出，只有改變飲食習慣、改善糧食生產和減少糧食浪費，才有可能餵飽如此規模的人口。

科特伯格福斯基金會表示，將於2020年底首次頒發這些獎項。（譯者：陳正健/核稿：劉學源）1090220

title: 瑞典設立百萬美元獎項  尋求永續糧食解決方案


references: 臉書 網友

countries: 日本 中國 台灣

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▲台灣魔術師陳日昇 20 日於臉書發文指出，自己恐因檢驗報告來不及拿到，而登不上包機返台，被丟包在日本。（圖／翻攝陳日昇臉書）

中國大陸武漢肺炎爆發，停靠在日本橫濱港的鑽石公主號郵輪「鑽石公主號」也因傳出群眾感染問題，受到全球關注，，雖 19 日已解除隔離，但台灣魔術師「陳日昇」就於今（ 20 ）日指出自己恐因檢驗報告拿不到，無法如期搭上包機回到台灣。稍早陳日昇又於臉書上公開駐日代表給予的回應，讓他崩潰痛批「就像是被踢來踢去的皮球」。

台灣魔術師「陳日昇」於今日在個人臉書上指出，由於檢驗到報告都需花費大約 3 天的時間，明天要搭上台灣包機，條件是必須要有日本官方的陰性檢驗證明書，但日本 18 日才來替陳日昇檢驗。恐怕無法在 21 日前拿到報告，也就代表其可能無法搭上回台灣的包機！

▲台灣魔術師陳日昇，目前仍在鑽石公主號上。（圖／翻攝陳日昇臉書）
而稍早他又於個人臉書上公布最新狀況，表示「我現在非常失望跟灰心！！就像是被踢來踢去的皮球！！」他指出自己在相關群組詢問駐日代表「返台包機是否會等到所有台籍乘客都下船，才一起帶回呢？」對此，駐日代表僅回應「包機明天來。明天回台。不會等。請諒解。已多次拜託日方，只能等待明天了。」另外，陳日昇又加緊詢問「如果真的不幸沒搭上包機怎麼辦？」駐日代表處則回應陳日昇：「您如沒搭上包機，可能自行搭機回去吧！不知道是否再派機來接」。

回應曝光後，就讓陳日昇動怒直呼，「什麼！！我的天啊！！你們當時不是說好一起下船，一起上飛機，一起回家的嗎？包機首要目標不就是要統一包回全部台灣人嗎！？但現在很有可能，我就這樣要被丟包了…」。除此之外，他也透露不僅是自己搭不上飛機，其餘還有 3-4 名台籍乘客，其中還有一名 6 歲女童也可能被遺留下來。

陳日昇指出，自己在船上隔離 14 天已經相當勞累，現在又遇上恐搭不上包機的事情，讓他崩潰直呼，「我現在真的很恐慌！只能祈禱報告書明天中午前收到！因為包機傍晚就要起飛了……」。陳日昇也感嘆，「如果我們一行大人小孩真的不幸沒趕上包機，為了防護安全起見，第二次再接送我們回去，豈不是還要再浪費一次政府資源及金錢人力成本嗎？」

最後，陳日昇再次向大眾表露心聲，直呼「我知道駐日代表處你們也很難為，也很辛苦，但目前情狀這麼危急 … 我們極度歸心似箭了 … 還遇到這種狀況，船上剩下幾個人真的都很心神不寧。真的拜託 … 讓報告趕快出爐吧！！讓大家平安回到台灣！今晚就說到這裡 … 我真的想去打包行李了 … 希望我們明晚可以台灣見」。

貼文一曝光後，就引來許多網友討論，不少人也紛紛替陳日昇加油打氣，直言「真的很希望每個台灣人都能一起回來，不希望再有任何差錯啊」、「日昇老師加油！相信奇蹟會降臨的！」、「真的覺得這次日本檢疫速度慢的可以啦！替你著急了」。（編輯：陳雅雲）

※【NOWnews 今日新聞】提醒您：
因應武漢肺炎疫情，疾管署持續加強疫情監測與邊境管制措施，國外入境後如有發燒、咳嗽等不適症狀，請撥打「1922」專線，或「0800-001922」，並依指示配戴口罩儘速就醫，同時主動告知醫師旅遊史及接觸史，以利及時診斷及通報。

title: 若趕不上包機返台？「駐日代表回應」魔術師崩潰：很失望


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FEATURE: Russian biohackers push the limits of the human body

Implantable chips are pictured at programmer Vladislav Zaitsev’s studio apartment in Moscow on Nov. 27 last year.Photo: AFP
Gripping a scalpel, Vladislav Zaitsev made an incision in the fold of the skin between his client’s thumb and index finger, pushing in a small glass cylinder.

Alexei Rautkin, a 24-year-old programmer in a hoodie, was having a chip inserted in his hand so he can open the door to his office without swiping a card.

“It’s something I decided a long time ago,” he said. “Mainly because it’s convenient, but there’s also a kind of exclusivity, because practically no one else has this.”

Rautkin and Zaitsev are among a growing number of Russians interested in biohacking, a global movement whose followers seek to “upgrade” their bodies with technology and do-it-yourself health fixes that began in Silicon Valley at the start of the last decade.

For some, the lifestyle trend involves implanting technology under their skin. For others — mainly wealthy Russians — the quest is to live longer, which they hope to do through intensive monitoring of their bodies, taking vast quantities of supplements or extreme exercise.

Although it is unclear how many biohackers there are in Russia, the movement is spreading, with social media forums, conferences and businesses springing up to cater to their needs.

Zaitsev, a programmer with a ducktail haircut, taught himself to insert chips, helped by being a medical school dropout. The 28-year-old caught national attention in 2015 by taking the chip out of a Moscow metro pass, dissolving it in acetone and encasing it in silicone before inserting it into the back of his hand.

The disc, about the size of a NT$1 coin, is still visible, but currently defunct — Zaitsev reprogrammed it with bank card details, only for the bank to close.

He also has magnets on his fingertips, mainly for party tricks.

The biohacking movement is about using technology to facilitate concrete tasks, he said.

“In biohacking, I like things that give a real, confirmed effect, for example putting in chips,” Zaitsev said.

Based on the contact between the close-knit community on social media, he estimated that about 1,000 Russians are chipped.

Most install work passes, while some insert magnets or a compass implant that vibrates when they turn north, he said.

Around the world, implanted microchips are being used to start vehicles; turn on smartphones, computers and printers; monitor body temperature; and store medical information or as business cards.

Professional magicians even use them to enhance their tricks.

Some chips have been approved for human use, but Zaitsev said that he uses veterinary ones made in Taiwan and ordered by mail for about 500 rubles (US$7.84) each.

While some have raised concerns over potential surveillance and hacking, the number of chipped people is still very small in Russia, and unlike smartphones, the chips do not transmit the users’ location.

In his studio apartment, Zaitsev charged Rautkin 2,000 rubles for the operation to insert the chip that is slightly bigger than a grain of rice.

He has chipped about 50 others, as well, Zaitzev said.

The “typical client is a geek,” he said. “Most are men aged 35 or younger.”

However, other biohackers have little time for chipping.

Entrepreneur Stanislav Skakun said that biohacking is about extending life, potentially for thousands of years, an idea known as transhumanism.

“I haven’t yet found a chip that would be useful for prolonging life... I can’t see any point in doing this yet,” the 36-year-old said.

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title: Investor confidence down over outbreak

content_text:
Investor confidence down over outbreak

RATTLED MORALE:Analysts said that COVID-19 would continue to shake investors’ outlook in the next two months, but it could recover in the second half of the year
Public confidence in the nation’s economy and equity investments decreased this month from last month due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in China, a survey released yesterday by Cathay Financial Holding Co (國泰金控) showed.

About 50.4 percent of the 17,722 Cathay Financial customers polled forecast that Taiwan’s economy would deteriorate in the next six months, surging from 25.8 percent last month, the poll showed.

Only 22.4 percent expected the economy to improve, down from 35.8 percent in the previous survey, while 21.9 percent thought that the economy would remain unchanged, compared with 29.8 percent last month, the survey showed.

The online poll was conducted in the first week of this month, Cathay Financial said, adding that its business climate index for this month fell to minus-18.3, hitting its lowest in 15 months.

The investors’ downbeat sentiment was due to the outbreak, which was first reported last month, Cathay Financial said.

“Fear of COVID-19 has made people more conservative in terms of consumption and property transactions. As no one knows when the outbreak would be contained, people want to save money and delay making big-spending decisions,” Cathay Financial economic research division manager Nelson Chen (陳志祿) said in a statement.

Only 18.7 percent and 23.9 percent of respondents planned to increase consumption of durable goods and make large purchases over the next six months respectively, down from 21.9 percent and 31.3 percent in the previous poll, while 60.1 percent did not consider selling their properties and 66.4 percent had no intention to buy a home for the time being, the survey showed.

In light of delayed operations or fewer orders for their companies, 18.8 percent polled expected to receive pay raises over the next six months, down from 25.9 percent last month, Chen said.

The gloomy sentiment led investors to prefer cash or time deposits rather than equity investment, with 52.1 percent expecting the TAIEX to decline in the next six months, the survey showed.

Cathay Financial forecasts that the outbreak would continue rattling investor confidence in the next two months, Chen said.

“However, the effects should be short term, as many experts have said that the spread of the disease would stop by summer,” Chen said, adding that confidence might recover in the second half of this year.

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title: Export orders fall most in seven years

content_text:
Export orders fall most in seven years

THE ‘WEAK SEASON’:Electronics orders were down a ‘mild’ 1.3 percent last month, while optoelectronics fell 18.8 percent and might drop further due to virus disruptions
Export orders last month dropped by 12.8 percent to US$35.31 billion, the biggest annual decline in seven years, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday, blaming the decrease to slipping orders for information and communications technology (ICT) products.

Following a short-lived recovery in December last year, export orders for ICT products contracted last month by 17 percent year-on-year to US$9.7 billion due to declining orders of smartphones, laptops and servers.

“We also have to take into account that there were six fewer working days last month [than in January last year] due to the Lunar New Year holiday,” Department of Statistics Director Huang Yu-ling (黃于玲) told a news conference in Taipei.

As more than 90 percent of ICT products are produced overseas, mainly in China, the COVID-19 outbreak might further affect production and undercut orders this month, she said.

“We expect the outbreak to affect between US$3 billion and US$3.5 billion of export orders this month,” Huang said, adding that about 80 percent of that amount would come from orders of ICT products.

Orders for electronics, which make up nearly one-third of the nation’s overall export orders, last month posted a relatively mild decline of 1.3 percent to US$10.3 billion, ministry data showed.

“The market for consumer electronics has entered a traditionally weak season, resulting in a smaller number of orders for suppliers,” Huang said.

Nonetheless, growing demand for foundry services and ICs propelled by upcoming 5G deployments helped cushion the fall in electronics orders, she said.

Orders of optoelectronics last month plummeted 18.8 percent to US$1.54 billion and the value might drop further this month due to supply chain disruptions as a result of the outbreak in China, Huang said, citing a government survey of optoelectronics makers.

In non-tech industries, export orders of base metals products; machinery equipment; rubber and plastic products; and chemicals all fell last month amid negative global market sentiment, the data showed.

However, those industries are expected to show annual growth in orders of between 9.7 percent and 14.9 percent this month due to a relatively low comparison base, Huang said.

To assist disease-affected manufacturers, the ministry has proposed budgeting an additional NT$3.47 billion (US$114.7 million) in funds, Industrial Development Bureau Director-General Richard Leu (呂正華) said.

The ministry has also looked at expanding the criteria for firms to be considered eligible to participate in government programs encouraging investment in the nation, he said.

Similar to a program aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises initiated last week, the ministry has proposed an interest rate reduction of 1.06 percent for loans to local manufacturers and plans to allocate about NT$946 million to subsidize their interest payments, he added.

“We would also subsidize manufacturers that seek to sharpen their competitive edge through investment in innovation,” Leu said, adding that free courses would also be offered to companies’ employees.

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title: Wellington water crisis deepens

content_text:
Wellington water crisis deepens

NATIONAL ISSUE?One councilor said ‘billions of dollars’ worth of underinvestment’ in water infrastructure could be a taste of similar issues to come across the country
Wellington City Council has alerted Island Bay residents to another burst water pipe, frustrating the city’s residents who are weary of harbor pollution, streets filled with brown sludge and some homes with no water at all.

Since the start of this year, the capital has had one water setback after another. The iconic Oriental Bay was closed to swimmers on some of the hottest summer days due to dangerous levels of pollution, two major city wastewater pipes burst, dozens of homes lost water access and streets were flooded due to worn-out infrastructure.

Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said that the city’s water pipes were 100 years old and had seen decades of chronic underinvestment by successive councils.

However, it is feared that the capital’s water woes might be a taste of similar issues to come nationwide, with few New Zealand cities or towns spending money on upgrading tired and overused water pipe infrastructure, seldom seen as a winner with voters.

“We have billions of dollars’ worth of underinvestment in this sector,” Wellington City Councilor Daran Ponter told Radio New Zealand. “The issues that we have seen pop up over the Christmas period in Wellington are potentially just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the country as a whole.”

Land, Air, Water Aotearoa monitors the water quality of the capital, and its map yesterday showed a sea of red at most popular Wellington bathing spots, with the Web site listing them as “unsuitable for swimming.”

Poor water quality had stopped ocean swimmers venturing out all week, and the frequency and length of water contamination events was frustrating many sea-lovers.

“It’s not safe to swim, which is just heartbreaking, it really upsets me,” said Paul Redican, who usually swims daily around the Miramar Peninsula.

On Wednesday, an urgent meeting was called in Wellington with media reporting that the escalating complexity of the capital’s water issues had been labeled a “crisis” and a “civil emergency” by city councilors in attendance.

“[Wellington Water] tried to give an impression that they were in control, but really it’s pretty clear that the issues are widespread and fundamental,” Wellington City Councilor Fleur Fitzsimons told Web site Stuff. “Everybody that gave advice in the meeting indicated there had been a historical underinvestment in water infrastructure in Wellington.”

As the city council issued another water warning overnight of a burst pipe in Island Bay, residents said that they could no longer keep pace with the rate of closures and incidents, and the situation was becoming “ridiculous.”

“What a horrible summer without being able to swim,” Chantel Mayer wrote on the Wellington City Council’s Facebook page.

A ban on residential sprinklers and irrigation systems has been in place since Friday last week.

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content_text:
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg walks offstage at the end of a US Democratic Party presidential hopefuls debate at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas on Wednesday.Photo: Reuters
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday endured a punishing assault in his debut US Democratic presidential debate from rivals who savaged him for parachuting in late and throwing astronomical amounts of money at the race.

The Las Vegas showdown came at a tense time in the party’s nomination race, with leftist firebrand US Senator Bernie Sanders coalescing as the front-runner and some challengers fighting for survival.

US media magnate Bloomberg found himself targeted from the start, as candidates from Sanders to former US vice president Joe Biden impugned the man whose sudden prominence in polling has scrambled the race to defeat US President Donald Trump.

“Understand this: Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another,” US Senator Elizabeth Warren said of Bloomberg. “Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns, of harassing women and of supporting racist policies.”

Sanders hit Bloomberg hard on his vast wealth at a time of “grotesque” income inequality in the US.

“Mike Bloomberg owns more wealth than the bottom 125 million Americans,” Sanders said. “That’s immoral.”

All eyes were on Bloomberg’s first appearance on the debate stage after spending hundreds of millions of US dollars on campaign advertising.

He endured a very public vetting and struggled to highlight his roles as a problem solver, businessman and city manager.

He found himself on the defensive when pressed to explain sexual harassment claims against him and employees, his delay in releasing his taxes and more.

Political analyst Aaron Kall of the University of Michigan said that Bloomberg proved “really weak” in the face of the onslaught.

“It’ll be interesting to see ... whether that’s disqualifying for a lot of people that have recently gone on his side,” Kall said.

Bloomberg at one point managed to push back against Sanders, saying that if the self-declared democratic socialist becomes the nominee, “we will have Donald Trump for another four years.”

Trump himself was dismissive of Bloomberg’s performance.

“He was stumbling, bumbling and grossly incompetent. If this doesn’t knock him out of the race, nothing will,” Trump said on Twitter.

While Sanders and other White House hopefuls have spent months campaigning, Bloomberg jumped late into the contest.

He is going all in on so-called Super Tuesday on March 3, when 14 states, including California and Texas, vote on choosing a Democratic nominee.

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title: US Democrats bare fangs at Bloomberg in fiery TV debate


title: Highlight: Vagina Monologues

content_text:
A scene from last year’s Vagina Monologues.Photo courtesy of MOWES
Featuring women over the age of 30 as well as nonbinary and transgender performers, MOWES will be putting on its second performance of the Vagina Monologues this weekend.

The show is the cornerstone of V-Day, a global movement where various projects are held this month to combat violence against women and girls. Written by Eve Ensler in 1996, the Vagina Monologues is based on interviews she conducted with 200 women on sex, relationships and violence against women, addressing female sexuality and the social stigma around rape and abuse.

Part of the proceeds will go to the Modern Women’s Foundation and Serve the People Association, which provides shelters and aid for migrant workers in Taiwan. Performances will be in both English and Mandarin.

■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7pm; Mica (雲母), 2F, 19 Pucheng St, Taipei City (台北市浦城街19號2樓); tonight’s show is sold out.

■ Advance tickets are NT$450, NT$500 at the door. For more information, visit bit.ly/38JPGEy

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Live Nation’s Ticketmaster expands into Asia by acquiring Tixcraft

理想國Ticketmaster 將進軍亞洲 收購拓元售票

South Korean supergroup BTS performs at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium on Dec. 8, 2018. The tickets for the show were sold by Taiwanese ticketing platform Tixcraft.
南韓天團防彈少年團 BTS ，前年十二月八日在桃園國際棒球場開唱，門票由台灣的拓元售票系統販賣。Photo courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment
照片︰Big Hit Entertainment提供
Ticketmaster, a US ticket sales system under Live Nation Entertainment, announced plans last week to expand into Asia by acquiring Taiwan’s Tixcraft Inc. and launching Ticketmaster Singapore, increasing its presence to 32 countries around the world. Ticketmaster is a global ticketing giant with over 500 million tickets processed yearly.

“By bringing Ticketmaster’s technology and service to Taiwan and tapping into the company’s huge global network, we will revolutionize the ticketing experience for fans, venues, sports clubs and event organizers in Taiwan,” said KT Chiu, chief executive officer of Tixcraft who founded the Taiwanese ticketing platform in 2014.

However, some Taiwanese users are concerned about certain features of Ticketmaster, including the “resale” function that allows buyers to sell tickets at higher prices — such tickets are seen as “scalper tickets” in Taiwan. In order to assuage concerns, Live Nation Entertainment has said that functions inappropriate for Taiwan may be removed from the Taiwanese system.

(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)

理想國演藝公司旗下的Ticketmaster售票系統，上週宣布拓展亞洲版圖，收購台灣的拓元售票系統，並在新加坡推出Ticketmaster Singapore，將其業務擴增至全球三十二個國家。Ticketmaster可說是售票系統的領導品牌，每年處理超過五億張各式票券。

拓元執行長邱光宗說：「把Ticketmaster的技術和服務引進台灣，運用公司廣布全球的龐大網路，我們將全面翻轉台灣粉絲、場館、體育俱樂部和活動主辦單位的票務體驗。」這個本土售票平台是他在二○一四年所創立。

不過有些台灣使用者，對Ticketmaster的功能感到憂心，例如「再次販售」的功能允許買家以高價轉賣自己的票券——而這就像是台灣俗稱的「黃牛票」。為了澄清疑慮，理想國回應不適合台灣風土民情的系統功能，將可能會視情況刪減。

（台北時報張聖恩〉

countries: 台灣 新加坡


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Virus Outbreak: Specter of cluster infection raised: CECC

NEIGHBORHOOD TROUBLE?A level 1 ‘watch’ travel notice has been issued for South Korea, and the center is mulling elevating the travel advisory for Japan
The possibility that the nation’s 24th confirmed COVID-19 case could be the start of a local infection cluster is under investigation, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday, adding that a level 1 “watch” travel notice has been issued for South Korea.

The center on Wednesday announced the 24th case, a 60-year-old woman who has not traveled abroad in two years.

The woman first exhibited symptoms of coughing and a fever on Jan. 22, and visited a clinic four times between then and Jan. 29, the center said.

She was hospitalized on Jan. 29 for pneumonia and was transferred to an intensive care unit on Monday last week, it said.

The hospital on Monday this week transferred her to a negative pressure isolation ward and took samples, which tested positive for COVID-19.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, said that of the 352 people who have come into contact with the woman, 127 — 118 medical personnel and nine family members — required further testing.

As of yesterday, 111 of the 118 medical personnel tested negative, while results for the other seven were still pending, Chen said.

The ministry yesterday upgraded South Korea to a level 1 “watch” travel advisory due to an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

South Korea has 104 confirmed cases, 70 percent of whom reportedly contracted the virus in the country, while the source of infection of six has yet to be determined, the ministry said.

It also reported its first death from the virus yesterday.

As of 5pm yesterday, Japan had reported 70 cases, not including those from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that thad been quarantined at Yokohama, the center said.

Japan is under a level 1 “watch” travel advisory, and the center is evaluating whether to upgrade it to a higher level, which is likely, Chen said, adding that the center would confer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, the source of infection of the nation’s 19th confirmed case, and the first fatality in Taiwan, was a Taiwanese businessperson returning from China’s Zhejiang Province on Jan. 22, the center said.

Samples of the businessperson’s blood were sent to National Taiwan University Hospital and Academia Sinica for antibody testing, it said.

While COVID-19 antibodies were present in the samples, the businessperson did not test positive for the coronavirus, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said.

Blood samples of the businessperson’s family members have tested negative for the disease, the CECC said, adding that it would continue to monitor others who had contact with the person.

Additional reporting by Chien Hui-ju

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Google is planning to move its British users’ accounts out of the control of EU privacy regulators, placing them under US jurisdiction instead, the company confirmed late on Wednesday.

The shift, prompted by Britain’s exit from the EU, would leave the sensitive personal information of tens of millions with less protection and within easier reach of British law enforcement.

Alphabet Inc’s Google intends to require its British users to acknowledge new terms of service including the new jurisdiction, people familiar with the plans said.

“Nothing about our services or our approach to privacy will change, including how we collect or process data, and how we respond to law enforcement demands for users’ information,” Google said in an e-mailed statement. “The protections of the UK GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation] will still apply to these users.”

A spokesman declined to answer questions.

Ireland, where Google and other US tech companies have their European headquarters, is staying in the EU, which has one of the world’s most aggressive data protection rules, the GDPR.

Google has decided to move its British users out of Irish jurisdiction because it is unclear whether Britain would follow GDPR or adopt other rules that could affect the handling of user data, the people said.

If British Google users’ data was kept in Ireland, it would be more difficult for British authorities to recover it in criminal investigations.

However, the US Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act is expected to make it easier for British authorities to obtain data from US companies. Britain and the US are also on track to negotiate a broader trade agreement.

Beyond that, the US has among the weakest privacy protections of any major economy, with no broad law, despite years of advocacy by consumer protection groups.

Google has amassed one of the largest stores of information about people on the planet, using the data to tailor services and sell advertising.

Google could also have had British accounts answer to a British subsidiary, but has opted not to, the people said.

Lea Kissner, Google’s former lead for global privacy technology, said she would have been surprised if the company had kept British accounts controlled in an EU country with the UK no longer a member.

“There’s a bunch of noise about the UK government possibly trading away enough data protection to lose adequacy under GDPR, at which point having them in Google Ireland’s scope sounds super-messy,” Kissner said.

“Never discount the desire of tech companies not be caught in between two different governments,” she said.

In the coming months, other US tech companies would have to make similar choices, people involved in internal discussions elsewhere said.

Facebook, which has a similar setup to Google, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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title: Google to shift UK users outside EU


title: Pastrnak leads Bruins to 2-1 overtime win over Oilers

content_text:
The Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak, second left, scores past the Edmonton Oilers’ Mike Smith, right, in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday.Photo: Perry Nelson-USA Today
David Pastrnak on Wednesday scored the winner 1 minutes, 14 seconds into overtime to give the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Pastrnak was set up for the goal on a pass from David Krejci. He tucked the puck between Oilers goalie Mike Smith’s legs for his 43rd goal of the season.

Patrice Bergeron scored his 27th goal for the Bruins, who have won four straight and 10 of their past 11 games.

“Typically when we’re at our best it’s a low-scoring game and we force the other team to stay in the game,” Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy said.

“I give Edmonton a lot of credit. They’ve done that lately. They know they’re light in their lineup, so good for the American [Hockey] League guys to come up and do that job,” he said.

Sam Gagner had a goal for the shorthanded Oilers, who are expected to be without Connor McDavid for much of this month because of a leg injury.

“It’s a valuable point for us, but what we want to learn from that game is we need some swagger early on,” Gagner said.

“Making plays under pressure and having confidence with the puck in the first period would have set us up better, but we clawed our way to a point. There was a lot to like against a really good team,” he added.

The Bruins had 10 shots on net in the first and held Edmonton to just two shots against Boston starter Tuukka Rask.

Edmonton had an 18-9 edge in shots in the second period, but it remained a one-goal game through 40 minutes.

The Oilers tied it on a power play four minutes into the third period as Gagner tipped an Ethan Bear shot up high over Rask for his fifth of the season.

Boston had a chance to win the game with four minutes to play in the third, but Pastrnak hit the post to eventually send the game to overtime.

In the end, the Bruins won another closely contested game.

“I think we’re used to playing those kind of games right now,” Rask said after making 28 saves for the win.

“It’s nothing unusual for us. We know that we can play that kind of game, and that comes with experience in the playoffs and everything for us, so it’s no problem for us,” he said.

“Once you move closer to the playoffs, these games are going to become more-tight checking, so you better get used to it,” he added.

In other results, it was:

‧ Rangers 6, Blackhawks 3

‧ Stars 3, Coyotes 2

‧ Panthers 4, Ducks 1

‧ Avalanche 3, Islanders 1

‧ Wild 4, Canucks 3 SO

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CHIPMAKERS

Hynix quarantines 800

South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix Inc yesterday said that 800 of its workers had quarantined themselves as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but its production in the city of Icheon, South Korea, has not been affected. The move came after one trainee had close contact with a virus patient in the southeastern city of Daegu, the center of an outbreak in South Korea. SK Hynix, the world’s No. 2 memorychip maker, said that another trainee also had symptoms of pneumonia and was being tested at a nearby hospital.

INDONESIA

Central bank cuts rate

The central bank yesterday cut its benchmark interest rate after a three-month pause as the spread of COVID-19 threatens growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Bank Indonesia lowered the seven-day reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent, joining a string of other central banks around the region that have eased policy to counter the impact of the virus. It also lowered its forecast for global growth to 3 percent from 3.1 percent, and forecast the domestic economy expanding 5 percent to 5.4 percent this year.

ENERGY

Petrobras posts record profit

Brazilian oil giant Petrobras on Wednesday said it made a record net profit last year, shaking off the lingering effects of a massive corruption scandal. The state-run company reported a net profit of 40.1 billion reals (US$9.19 billion) last year, up 55.7 percent from the previous year. It was the second consecutive year of profit for Petrobras, which had spent the three previous years deep in the red. It said the profit was thanks to low production costs and an asset sell-off that netted it US$16.3 billion last year.

AUSTRALIA

Jobless rate climbs

The jobless rate last month unexpectedly climbed despite a surge in full-time employment, as more people hunted for work. Unemployment rose to 5.3 percent last month, compared with economists’ estimate of 5.2 percent, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed yesterday. The participation rate increased to 66.1 percent and 13,500 jobs were added last month, slightly exceeding forecasts. Full-time jobs climbed by 46,200, while part-time roles fell by 32,700, data showed.

AVIATION

Airbus to cut 2,300 jobs

European plane maker Airbus SE on Wednesday said that it plans to cut more than 2,300 jobs at its defense and space division by the end of next year, spreading the cuts across several countries. The company said that Airbus Defence and Space presented the plan to employee representatives and launched a consultation process for the cuts. The plan would eliminate 2,362 positions in all — 829 in Germany, 357 in the UK, 630 in Spain, 404 in France and 142 elsewhere.

BANKING

UBS names new CEO

UBS Group AG has named ING Group CEO Ralph Hamers to succeed Sergio Ermotti as head of the Swiss banking giant. The Dutchman is to join UBS as a member of the bank’s executive board on Sept. 1 “in order to ensure a smooth leadership transition” before taking over the reins as chief executive officer on Nov. 1. Hamers, 53, joined ING Group in 1991 and has been chief executive since 2013.

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title: World Business Quick Take


content_text:
Mourinho worries about injuries after Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Leipzig at home

RB Leipzig’s Marcel Halstenberg, left, Lukas Klostermann, second left, and Amadou Haidara, right, challenge Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Moura for the ball in their UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg in London on Wednesday.Photo: AFP
Jose Mourinho fears his side’s season is running out of gas after an injury-hit Tottenham Hotpur on Wednesday slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to RB Leipzig in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Spurs could be without the talismanic duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min for the rest of the season through injury, and looked toothless against the Bundesliga contenders.

“We are in a very difficult situation,” Mourinho said. “What worries me is this is going to be the situation until the end of the season.”

Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris kept his side in the tie with a string of important saves, but he could not prevent Timo Werner from the penalty spot as the Germany international’s 26th goal of the season gave Leipzig a lead to defend on home soil on March 10.

“Over the 90 minutes we deserved the win and could have won by more,” Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann said. “It’s only the first game today. You have to perform at the same level in both games.”

Tottenham upset the odds to progress past Manchester City and Ajax to reach last season’s final.

However, it was Leipzig who looked the seasoned Champions League team in their first ever knockout tie in the competition.

After receiving the news that Son would be sidelined by a fractured right arm on the eve of the game, Mourinho compared his side’s prospects for the rest of the season to hanging from a fourth-floor balcony.

The hosts could easily have fallen flat on their face inside the first 90 seconds, as Leipzig amazingly passed up four chances to open the scoring through Patrik Schick, Angelino and Werner.

“In the first five minutes we should have taken the lead,” Nagelsmann said. “Young teams can become impatient thinking they have to score an away goal in the first leg, but they weren’t like that.”

Werner could be a more frequent foe for Spurs next season, with speculation linking him to Liverpool.

However, his profligacy ensured that the hosts went in level at the break as he fired too close to Lloris with just the France No. 1 to beat.

Leipzig could have regretted not making the most of their supremacy during the first 45 minutes as Peter Gulacsi saved well from Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn fired the rebound wide early in the second period.

However, after grinding out wins over Manchester City, Norwich City, Southampton and Aston Villa in the past several weeks, despite conceding plenty of chances, Spurs’ luck ran out.

An ill-timed lunge by Ben Davies chopped down Konrad Laimer inside the area just before the hour mark and Werner confidently converted the resulting penalty.

Moments later, only a fine save by Lloris denied Schick a second at the end of a flowing move involving Christopher Nkunku, Angelino and a delightful dummy from Werner to tee up his strike partner.

“If I could, I would move immediately to the first of July with Kane, [Moussa] Sissoko, Son, Lucas, [Erik] Lamela, Bergwijn [all fit],” Mourinho said. “But we are on the 19th of February, so we have to fight until the end.”

“One thing I can guarantee is that even with I don’t know who is playing in attack, we are going there to attack until our limits,” he added.

The introduction of Lamela and club record signing Tanguy Ndombele from the bench gave Tottenham a much-needed injection of creativity for the final 25 minutes.

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The COVID-19 outbreak is keeping a lot of people busy and leaving them tired.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who is in charge of the Central Epidemic Command Center, is certainly busy and exhausted, as is everyone in related government ministries and departments, and all the medical and disease-prevention personnel, factory workers making masks and logistics operators.

So are the pharmacists who have taken over mask sales from convenience store and drugstore staff, not to mention journalists who must file endless virus-related news reports.

The general public is also weary from lining up to buy masks and thinking about what to do with their children whose classes have been suspended.

One of the most tiring things is trying to follow the endless stream of virus-related news. It is scary to hear about the mounting number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, but people might be panicking more than they need to. If they were not, there would not be so many instances of irrational behavior, including interpersonal rifts and conflict.

The Taiwan Counseling Psychology Association has issued a set of guidelines titled “Heart-to-heart advice on disease control.” They recommend that people limit the amount of information they consume about the outbreak and the time they spend on it. However, it is easier said than done.

In addition to television, many people rely on the Internet for information about the outbreak. For some people who already depend heavily on cellphones and the Internet as information sources, it is not easy to calmly consider each COVID-19 news report or resist the temptation to forward and share information about it, or how to reuse a mask. It is hard to control your digital behavior when it has been conditioned in the Pavlovian sense.

Almost every online game operator uses techniques to hook people, with feedback, rewards, upgrades, anticipation and daily login freebies. Social networks use a cycle of triggers, rewards and investment to keep everyone scrolling.

Even plain instant messengers keep users engaged by adding stickers, reminders and an ever-increasing variety of information and functions.

Sharing-economy platforms set up their commission systems with features that guarantee consumers can call vehicles from nearby, and that providers can accept and deliver their orders.

In this day and age, apart from those who choose not to use a smartphone or have tremendous self-control, the rest of us must face an information explosion and possible information anxiety.

Some people happily accept being bombarded by messages and push notifications. They may not worry about whether their time is fragmented, and their work efficiency and quality of life are badly affected.

Some people cannot stand to see a notification graphic on an app icon on their screen. They want to tap on it and check it out.

There are also many people who, when they see that there are far more messages in their messaging apps than they could ever read, still cannot bear to sign out, and may even keep adding contacts and joining chats.

Many people cannot limit their intake of information about the outbreak — they gorge themselves on it. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, the COVID-19 outbreak will eventually cool down, but if people want to resist getting hooked and if they want to be masters of their cellphones instead of slaves, they need self-awareness to achieve it.

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title: Resist the outbreak information explosion


title: [ LETTER ]

content_text:
Why keep these Yuans?

The Presidential Office on Monday said that President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has approved the establishment of nomination committees for the Control Yuan and the Examination Yuan to assist her with selecting new members for the two organizations, and that she has asked the legislature to approve the committees.

This news made me feel distressed.

During former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) time in office, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) made a strong push for the abolition of both institutions.

In addition, then-Control Yuan president Wang Chien-hsien (王建煊) likened his institution to chicken ribs, which “are tasteless, yet people can’t make themselves throw them away,” while a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) think tank said that “it hinders the nation’s advancement and development.”

The pan-blue camp found itself almost lacking the power needed to keep them.

Why doesn’t the DPP propose changing the Constitution? Tsai needs to explain why the party now wants to keep both institutions.

Furthermore, on Dec. 10 last year, the legislature passed an amendment to the Examination Yuan Organization Act (考試院組織法) that would reduce membership from 19 to between seven and nine, and the term of office for the president, vice president and members from six years to four years.

According to a rough estimate, these changes would save the nation about NT$30 million (US$991,604) annually in personnel expenses.

As the Examination Yuan cannot be abolished until the Constitution has been amended, there is nothing wrong with this approach, but, surprisingly, now the government plans to nominate a full set of Control Yuan members.

This is really unacceptable.

Tsai Mei-chu

New Taipei City

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people: 馬英九 蔡英文


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Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wu Sz-huai talks to reporters at the Legislative Yuan yesterday.Photo: CNA
President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) interview with the BBC last month contained messages that could provoke China, and since Taiwan is the weaker of the two nations, she should refrain from such provocations, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wu Sz-huai (吳斯懷) said yesterday.

“President Tsai should be discreet over the prospect of war, not recklessly court war or provoke,” Wu said, when asked about a question he planned to ask Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) when the legislative session opens today.

Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟) on Wednesday posted on Facebook a picture of a document containing Wu’s question for Tsai.

The document quotes Tsai as saying in the interview that despite her refraining from projecting symbols of Taiwanese independence, Beijing has increased its military pressure on Taiwan, and that as the nation cannot exclude the possibility of war, it has worked to improve its military capabilities.

It also quotes Tsai as saying that invading Taiwan would be “very costly” for China.

In the prepared remarks, Wu, a retired lieutenant general, says Tsai’s comments bordered on warmongering and asks whether the cost of going to war with China would be “very cheap” for Taiwan.

“Is Taiwan really ready?” he asks.

Chen expressed amazement at Wu’s planned question.

Wu should first ask China whether it has renounced annexing Taiwan by force, Chen said.

Wu had attended an event in Beijing, where he listened to a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), he said.

Wu appears eager to be a “mouthpiece” and “minion” for China, as he portrayed Tsai’s ordinary remarks as provoking China, and could be colluding with Beijing to smear the government, stoke fear and degrade Taiwan’s sovereignty, he added.

Asked whether he believed that Tsai’s stance that the nation would not be intimidated by Chinese provocation was wrong, Wu yesterday said that he does not.

“However, Taiwan should not proactively tell China that: ‘I am ready for war, bring it on.’ That was the wrong tone to take,” he said. “After all, we are weaker.”

Asked whether he believed Taiwan should “appear weak” in the event of a Chinese provocation, Wu said: “No, no, no.”

“Of course we should make the necessary response to a Chinese provocation, but that does not mean recklessly starting a war,” he said.

Pressed on what response he believed would be appropriate, Wu said one that adheres to military protocols would be sufficient.

Asked about Wu’s comments while visiting the National Health Research Institutes, Tsai told reporters that everything she has said reflected the real situation and the nation’s resolve to defend itself.

“Taiwan’s basic stance is clear: We resist war, but are by no means weak. We do not provoke, but we do not bow or bend our knees,” she said.

As a former general, Wu’s remarks have likely disappointed many military personnel, Tsai said, urging the KMT to clarify whether it agrees with Wu’s stance.

Additional reporting by Cheng Ming-hsiang

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people: 蔡英文 蘇貞昌 習近平 吳斯懷

title: Tsai should not provoke China: KMT lawmaker


content_text:
Aboriginal perspective on history in the works: CIP

INSIGHT:Aside from launching a 10-book series, the government hopes to include Aboriginal views on history in the 12-year National Education Program
Society of Indigenous Professors in Taiwan chairman Safulo Raranges attends the launch in Taipei on Wednesday of a 10-book series focused on historic events in Taiwan viewed through the eyes of Aborigines.Photo: CNA
The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) said that it is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to incorporate the 10 most important events in Aboriginal history into the 12-year National Education Program to give the younger generation an insight into these events from the perspective of Aborigines.

The council made the comments at a news conference on Wednesday to launch a 10-book series focused on historic events viewed through the eyes of Aborigines.

Experts and academics started work on the series in 2002, council Minister Icyang Parod said in a speech.

Members of the Presidential Office’s Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee and the council also collaborated on the series, Executive Yuan Minister Without Portfolio Lin Wan-i (林萬億) told the news conference.

Since her first inauguration in 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has pushed to “reconstruct” history from an Aboriginal perspective, revitalize Aboriginal culture, grant increased autonomy to Aboriginal communities and ameliorate the living quality of Aborigines, Lin said.

The population, system, settlements and cartography featured in the books are based on Aboriginal knowledge at the time, Lin said, adding that the series aims to remove stereotypes about the role of Aborigines in history.

“We hope that such knowledge would allow Taiwan’s multiethnic society to come to respect each other,” Lin said.

The series would allow Taiwanese to see history from the perspective of Aborigines and understand how it affected them, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) said.

Many people were asked to share their experiences over the years, Lee said, adding that he hoped this is only the beginning of such efforts.

Through this project, the government hopes to share with non-Aborigines a part of history that the nation’s Han Chinese are not privy to, Lee said.

Commenting on the Dagangkou incident (大港口事件), Society of Indigenous Professors in Taiwan chairman Safulo Raranges said that Amis Aborigines had fought and stopped three waves of Qing Empire invaders before being massacred.

“After that incident, Aborigines were not allowed to speak their mother tongues, nor hold their unique annual ceremonies,” Safulo said.

The incident was a part of then-Qing imperial representative Shen Baozhen’s (沈葆禎) policy to expand into the mountains and to “pacify” Aborigines.

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people: 蔡英文 林萬億 李俊俋


content_text:
Second phase of 5G auctions starts today

PRICEY ENDEAVOR:Bids in the first phase of the 5G auctions exceeded NT$138 billion, and industry observers expect this round to cost telecoms even more
Telecoms today are to bid in the second phase of the nation’s 5G spectrum auction to secure bandwidth on coveted frequency bands.

The National Communications Commission (NCC) said that the auction is to begin at 9:30am, when carriers would indicate by letter their preferred locations on the frequency bands.

Should two or more carriers ask for the same location, the commission would hold another auction at 2:30pm to determine the winner, the commission said.

NCC commissioners are to hold a meeting to confirm the results as soon as the auction ends, it said, adding that the result would be announced on the same day.

The first phase of the 5G spectrum auctions ended on Jan.16, with total bids of NT$138.08 billion (US$4.56 billion).

Although the commission released spectrum at the 1.8 gigahertz (GHz), 3.5GHz and 28GHz frequency bands, all five carriers focused on acquiring spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, as manufacturers have already produced terminal and network equipment for that particular band.

During the first auction, Chunghwa Telecom secured 90 megahertz (MHz) in the 3.5GHz band, while Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET), Taiwan Mobile and Taiwan Star Telecom obtained 80MHz, 60MHz and 40MHz respectively. Asia Pacific Telecom (APT) withdrew from the bidding, which also helped end the first phase that lasted 27 days.

In the 28GHz frequency band, Chunghwa secured 600MHz, while Taiwan Mobile, APT and FET obtained 200MHz, 400MHz and 400MHz respectively. Taiwan Star did not win any bandwidth in this band.

Carriers spent NT$136.43 billion to secure bandwidth in the 3.5GHz band, the NCC said, while the rest of the bids were spent on bandwidth in the 28GHz band. No bids were made for the 1.8GHz band.

Chunghwa was the top bidder in the first auction, spending NT$46.29 billion. FET and Taiwan Mobile paid NT$41.01 billion and NT$30.65 billion respectively, while Taiwan Star spent NT$19.7 billion and APT spent NT$412 million.

After the first phase concluded last month, the NCC gave carriers a little more than a month to negotiate their preferred locations, particularly those on the 3.5GHz band.

As of yesterday, they had not yet reached a deal, the commission said.

People familiar with the matter said that more than one carrier was eyeing the middle section of the frequency band, as it has less interference compared with the front and rear ends of the band.

The second phase of the auction is expected to further push up bids, industry observers said, adding that the nation’s 5G service could potentially be the most expensive in the world due to the high costs.

Italy and Germany generated about NT$150 billion and NT$140 billion respectively through 5G auctions, making them the most expensive 5G markets so far.

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A doctor in Hualien urged the public to exercise proper media literacy when reading news about COVID-19 after seeing an increase in the number of people seeking treatment due to anxiety over the spread of the virus.

One woman who had been treated for neurosis redeveloped symptoms, as she was severely distressed over uncertainties linked to the virus, such as whether she could buy masks every day, Chen Shao-tzu (陳紹祖), head of the addiction center at Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital, wrote in an article published on Feb. 8 in the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister newspaper of the Taipei Times).

The woman was unable to sleep, had tightness in her chest and trouble breathing, he said.

Another man — who had been treated for severe depression and appeared to have the condition under control — had suicidal thoughts due to the stress of having to take his parents to the hospital every day, making him afraid he would be infected, Chen said.

One man who had no prior conditions came to him asking to be given a thorough checkup to look for signs of COVID-19, saying that he had recently returned from a visit to Beijing and was worried he was infected, Chen said.

However, it turned out the man last visited China six months ago, Chen said, adding that he has seen an increasing amount of “irrational” behavior due to anxiety about the virus.

Hypochondria cases are harmful because they use up healthcare resources that should be channeled toward disease prevention, he said.

“Social media have given rise to all sorts of information online. Some of it is true, but a lot of it is aimed at attracting readers for self-promotion,” Chen said.

“The first step to make yourself at ease is to carefully choose what you listen to and read,” he said.

People with a history of psychological conditions to continue their medication, while those afraid of visiting hospitals could speak to a doctor about the possibility of home treatment, he said.

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title: Virus Outbreak: Read wisely to avoid anxiety: doctor


content_text:
Virus Outbreak: Charity hopes annual run will counter drop in funds

By Yang Mien-chieh and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Amid an annual decline in donations, a Christian charity is hoping an annual fundraising run in May can keep its tutoring and care services for more than 3,000 underprivileged students going, as concerns over COVID-19 have led to a 30 percent drop in donations.

The Chinese Christian Relief Association, which has organized the “Let’s Run” event with English magazine Studio Classroom for seven years, provides tutoring and care services for underprivileged children through its 1919 program, the pronunciation of which is similar to “to help to help” (要救要救) in Mandarin.

Amid concerns about COVID-19, business in night markets has dropped and part-time jobs are scarce, which has affected the livelihoods of several underprivileged families, the association said on Tuesday.

The extended winter break for schools has also meant that many children have been left unattended by parents.

Although concerns over the virus have led to 30 percent of classes this year’s classes being canceled, the association is trying to keep the rest going to help underprivileged families weather a difficult time.

Ko Chi-hsien (柯志賢), a program teacher in Tainan, said that he had 80 elementary and junior-high-school students in his winter vacation class, all from low-income or immigrant families in which most parents work long hours and juggle two jobs.

Teachers take students’ temperatures, disinfect the classrooms, and explain the current outbreak situation on a daily basis, Ko said, adding that disease-prevention efforts are also taught.

There has been a drop in donations over the past year and COVID-19 appears to have exacerbated the situation, with last month’s donations down NT$5.94 million (US$196,338), or 30 percent, from January last year, the group said.

While it is important to wear a mask and wash hands frequently, strengthening the body’s immune system is the key, association secretary-general Xia Chong-jian (夏忠堅) said.

Taking part in May’s run would help make participants healthier, but would also contribute to helping the underprivileged, Xia said.

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The nation’s population problems have gradually come to the fore over the past few years, with the most attention being focused on the falling fertility rate and aging population.

While campaigning for the Jan. 11 presidential and legislative elections, many politicians and parties put forward their ideas about these issues.

Some suggested that the state should pay for the care of children from birth to six years old, and one or two parties went further by calling for the state to pay for the upkeep of everyone older than 75.

If these policy proposals were put into practice, the state would have to feed, clothe and house everyone in their infancy and old age.

Although Taiwanese society has not yet achieved the ideals of Confucius’ “Great Unity,” where “the old are cared for until death and children are nurtured,” it is going to make great strides toward the ideals of a welfare state where people are cared for “from the cradle to the grave.”

These policy proposals might be well-intentioned and sound very attractive. The question is, are they reasonable and can the state afford to pay for the upkeep of so many people?

The nation faces serious population problems, as can be seen from a range of statistics and phenomena. The most serious problem is the falling fertility rate, with each Taiwanese woman, on average, giving birth to 1.13 babies in her lifetime. This figure is lower than the 2.1 children per woman required to maintain a stable population, and far lower than the global average of 2.42.

Taiwan’s fertility rate is the third-lowest in the world, above only Macau and Singapore. A low fertility rate naturally leads to a low birthrate, which in Taiwan stands at just eight births per 1,000 of population per year. This figure is also among the lowest in the world.

The fewer children born, the slower the population will grow. Although Taiwan’s 0.15 percent population growth rate is higher than that of Japan, it is still among the world’s lowest.

While the nation’s birthrate has been falling, its population has been aging faster. The median age in Taiwan is 40.3, which is about 10 years higher than the global median age of 30.6.

Two years ago, the number of Taiwanese aged 65 or older overtook those aged 14 or younger. This is a major indicator of an aging population. In that year the proportion of Taiwanese aged 65 or older reached 14.4 percent, marking Taiwan becoming an aged society.

In 2026, the nation is set to become a super-aged society, as people aged 65 or older would exceed 20 percent of the population.

Taiwan has gone very quickly through the stages of an aging and now aged society. In 14 years, half of the nation’s population is set to be older than 50. Taiwan is aging much faster than many countries that developed earlier.

The government has predicted that there would be fewer births than deaths this year, causing the natural population growth rate to change from positive to negative.

Within a decade, the nation’s total population is forecast to shrink to less than 20 million. In 15 years, it would further shrink to between 16 million and a little more than 18 million — 20 to 30 percent less than today.

The number of people of working age — between 15 and 64 years old — peaked in 2015. Since then, an aging population and falling birthrate have caused it to decline with each passing year.

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title: The Liberty Times Editorial: Addressing population problems


content_text:
EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday addresses a news conference on artificial intelligence at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.Photo: AFP
The EU on Wednesday unveiled its strategy for artificial intelligence (AI) as it seeks to catch up with China and the US, and dispel fears of Big Brother-like control.

The EU said that building trust would be a guiding principle, with higher-risk uses of AI in health, security or transport facing stricter demands on transparency and human oversight. Lower-risk applications would be largely left alone.

The other ambition would be to offer companies and universities access to the mountain of data that drives AI — with the bloc considering forcing technology giants to share data or face sanctions.

“We want the application of these new technologies to deserve the trust of our citizens,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

“This is why we are promoting a responsible, human-centric approach to artificial intelligence,” she said.

EU officials are eager to define the rules of AI and push their champions, acknowledging that Europe and its companies have been outflanked by Silicon Valley’s Google, Facebook Inc and Apple Inc, as well as Chinese players like Tencent Holdings Ltd (騰訊).

“It’s not us that need to adapt to today’s platforms. It’s the platforms that need to adapt to Europe,” EU Commissioner for International Market and Services Thierry Breton told a news conference.

“The battle for industrial data starts now and Europe will be the main battlefield. Europe has everything it needs to be a leader,” Breton said.

The proposals are the first step in a long road to legislation, with Brussels hoping for draft laws by the end of the year.

The far-ranging plans would face furious lobbying from corporate giants and governments, and require ratification by the European Parliament.

“Artificial intelligence is not good or bad in itself. It all depends on why and how it is used,” EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said.

The commission, the EU’s executive arm, would seek to repeat the impact of General Data Protection Regulation — its regulation on data protection that has become a global standard.

EU officials refrained from asking for curbs on facial recognition, one of the most controversial examples of artificial intelligence.

For now, they said existing legislation already limits its uses, but the bloc would start a debate on the topic to determine where European citizens would accept it.

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companies: Apple Google

title: EU seeks ‘responsible’ AI to dispel Big Brother fears


content_text:
AUSTRALIA

Ex-spouse burns family alive

An ex-rugby league player is suspected of murdering his three children and estranged wife by burning them alive inside their vehicle, in what police have said was one of the most horrific incidents they have encountered. Officers said that 31-year-old Hannah Clarke died in a Brisbane hospital on Wednesday just hours after her three children — aged three, four and six — were found dead in the vehicle on a suburban street. Her husband, Rowan Baxter, who also died, allegedly approached the vehicle and doused it with gasoline before setting it alight, The Australian reported. “How long before we stop this slaughter in our suburbs?” Our Watch chairwoman Natasha Stott Despoja tweeted.

SOUTH KOREA

Cult infection cluster spikes

A cluster of COVID-19 infections centered on a cult church in Daegu yesterday leaped to 39 cases. Almost half of the country’s patients are linked to a 61-year-old woman who is a member of the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. She first developed a fever on Monday last week, but reportedly twice refused to be tested on the grounds that she had not traveled abroad, and attended at least four services before being diagnosed. The group claims its founder, Lee Man-hee, has “donned the mantle of Jesus” and will take 144,000 people with him to heaven on the Day of Judgement. Of the 1,001 church members in the city, 90 are showing symptoms, the city said.

NETHERLANDS

City planning ‘erotic center’

Amsterdam is looking at moving part of its red light district indoors to an “erotic” complex, where prostitutes would no longer beckon customers through street-front windows that often attract rowdy tourists. The city said in plans released on Wednesday that the complex could include a bed-and-breakfast for prostitutes, as well as a sex club, sex theater and cafes. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has vowed to clean up the city’s red light district, as her staff say that throngs of tourists have “disrespected both prostitutes and residents.”

MEXICO

Killers of girl arrested

Police have arrested suspects in the killing of a seven-year-old girl whose murder rocked the capital with protests, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. The body of Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett was discovered over the weekend in a plastic garbage bag, sparking outrage over growing violence against women in the country.

CANADA

Whiteout trips 200-car pileup

Police on Wednesday said that whiteout conditions that came about suddenly most likely triggered a massive pileup involving about 200 vehicles in La Prairie, Quebec. There were no immediate reports of deaths, but the Quebec Provincial Police said that about a dozen people were sent to hospital with minor to serious injuries after the midday crash. The area has heavy winds that come off the river, creating sudden blizzard-like conditions, Quebec Minister of Transport Francois Bonnardel said. “People were driving, there were strong winds ... and, suddenly, you couldn’t see anything — and then, well, the pileup started,” Bonnardel said. About 50 vehicles drove away from the collision, but 75 others would need to be towed, Quebec Provincial Police spokesman Sergeant Stephane Tremblay said, adding that many vehicles were mangled, including several large trucks.

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title: World News Quick Take


title: Current-account surplus slows by 17 percent

content_text:
The nation’s current-account surplus slowed by 17 percent year-on-year to US$17.02 billion in the final quarter of last year, as exports weakened amid a US-China trade dispute, the central bank said yesterday.

The figure carries heavy importance for Taiwan’s balance of payments — which includes the current, service and financial accounts — data that summarizes its transactions with the rest of the world regarding movements of goods and services, and the income of residents and foreigners.

The COVID-19 outbreak is raising uncertainty about exports that were previously expected to improve this year after trade tensions between the US and China eased.

The central bank declined to speculate on how data, especially the service account, would evolve this quarter and beyond, after travel deficits rose to a record US$4.2 billion last quarter.

“It is difficult to predict future trends, as the virus outbreak is diminishing tourist arrivals, but also driving local people to cancel trips abroad,” the central bank said.

Governments around the world have introduced border controls and travel restrictions to contain the outbreak. Major local travel agencies have suspended all tours bound for China, Hong Kong and Macau through April, and have reported a sharp decline in trips to Japan, South Korea and other destinations.

Travel deficits for last year stood at US$6.1 billion, also a new high, data showed.

Escalating travel deficits had much to do with keen interest among Taiwanese to travel abroad, coupled with Beijing’s ban on free independent tourist visits to Taiwan, from Aug. 1 last year, the bank said.

From September last year, Japanese tourists outnumbered Chinese, although Chinese visitors generated the most travel income for Taiwan last year, the bank said.

The financial account also saw continued capital outflows for the 38th consecutive quarter, but at a softer pace, as foreign portfolio managers increased holdings in local shares, data showed.

Capital outflows are common in economies such as Singapore, South Korea, Germany and Russia, where trade surpluses have prompted financial institutions to channel excess liquidity to investment tools in overseas markets to pursue higher yields, the bank said.

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content_text:
Benefits of China trade truce ‘limited,’ US Fed says

‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’:US Federal Reserve officials said that the risk of a US recession had ‘fallen notably,’ and easing tension would ‘boost business confidence’
While US trade tensions with China have receded, US Federal Reserve officials said that they worry the danger to the economy is not over, minutes of the last policy meeting released on Wednesday showed.

US President Donald Trump last month signed a “phase one” agreement with Beijing which prevented some of the most damaging tariffs from taking effect, but punitive duties remain in place on about two-thirds of goods traded between the world’s dominant economic powers.

The truce with China, as well as the new continental free-trade pact with Mexico and Canada, “helped reduce downside risks and appeared to buoy business sentiment,” central bankers said in the minutes from the Jan. 28 to Jan. 29 policy meeting.

However, several officials said that the impact of the deal with China “would be relatively limited.”

Uncertainty over trade policy “is likely to remain elevated, with the possibility remaining of the emergence of new tensions, as well as the re-escalation of existing tensions,” the minutes showed.

Officials said that the deal would still leave a large portion of the tariffs in place, and that many firms had already been making production and supply chain adjustments.

The average US tariff on China over the course of the trade dispute surged from 3 percent at the beginning of 2018 to more than 19 percent, economists have said.

The IMF said that trade conflicts and tariffs cut eight-10ths off world growth, and on Wednesday said the truce with China could “reduce the drag” by 0.2 percent, but added that the global economy remains fragile and beset by uncertainty.

The US central bank cut the benchmark lending rate three times last year in an effort to buoy the economy as it was shaken by Trump’s multi-front trade disputes.

The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee last month left the key interest rate steady in the target range of 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent, and said it was unlikely to move again unless there was a “material change” to the outlook.

Fed officials said the risk of a US recession in the next year has “fallen notably,” the minutes showed.

They were “cautiously optimistic” the easing of tensions would “boost business confidence or raise export demand which would help strengthen or at least stabilize business investment.”

A few officials highlighted continued challenges for US farmers — hit hard by Chinese retaliation — despite subsidies provided by the government.

The COVID-19 outbreak in China is another source of uncertainty for the global economy that had shown signs of stabilizing, the Fed said.

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