taiwan

• The ex-president of Taiwan was detained by his country's police on charges of corruption and money laundering today. The defiant Chen Shui-bian raised his handcuffed hands above his head while shouting “Long live Taiwanese independence."— New York Times
• In his White House meeting with Barack Obama, President Bush indicated that he would support another economic stimulus package, which includes aid to the auto industry, if the Democrats stopped opposing the Colombian free-trade agreement. — International Herald Tribune
• Somalian pirates captured a Philippines chemical tanker, carrying 23 crew members, marking the 83rd hijack in Somalian waters this year. — Associated Press



• After the Mars Lander ran out of batteries last week thanks to a dust storm, NASA announced that the mission has ended. — CNN
• The surrogate grandmother in Ohio that gave birth to her triplet grandchildren last month, told Good Morning America that she is feeling fine, and was happy to serve as his daughter's surrogate at the age of 56. — Associated Press

• Last night the candidates wrapped up two years of campaigning. Barack Obama saved his biggest Virginia rally for last — a jam-packed event in Manassas with 90,000 people reportedly in attendance. Meanwhile, a fired-up John McCain told supporters to "be strong and fight" in an election eve rally Monday, his last before voters in swing state Nevada weigh in. — Huffington Post
• Long lines formed when polls opened in Eastern states. Barack Obama's bid to become the first black president faces the final test of his remarkable two-year journey, while Republican John McCain presses for an Election Day upset. — MSNBC
• A report released on Monday by a state board found that Gov. Sarah Palin did not apply improper pressure to try to dismiss a state trooper who was her former brother-in-law and did not violate state ethics laws in the firing of her public safety commissioner. The report by the Alaska Personnel Board contradicts the conclusions last month of a separate inquiry into the matter overseen by a bipartisan legislative panel. — New York Times



• Taiwan and China set aside decades of hostilities today, agreeing to expand flights and allow shipping links across the Taiwan Strait, a hotspot that has long threatened to become a war zone. — Associated Press

• Iran's parliament sacked its interior minister after he admitted a degree he said he obtained from Oxford University was a forgery. It is a setback for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad eight months before he faces presidential elections. — BBC News

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Last week, a student in Taiwan died during a steamed-bun-eating contest. The 23-year-old was participating in his university's annual eating contest, an event that featured 60 students split into 30 teams of two. The student couldn't stop vomiting and fell unconscious during the competition. Although he was rushed to the hospital, it was too late. The cause of the death remains unclear, but some believe he choked to death.

At a time when American major league eating competitions are gaining popularity, I hope the news of this death will force people to wake up. Is a competition involving overeating — in a world where people starve to death — really necessary? What do you think of the news? Are you sick of hearing about eating contests?

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Two US Air Force leaders must resign due to their involvement in the accidental sending of four nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan, in place of helicopter batteries.

The ousting of Air Force secretary Michael W. Wynne, as well as the force's chief of staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, come after a still classified report leveled serious allegations against the two.

America, which has criticized Russia for its management of nuclear weapons and material, seems to be having trouble of its own. Irresponsible handling of dangerous weapons impedes the US's ability to make the case that countries like Iran and North Korea should be halted from developing nuclear power. When the US cannot keep track of its nuclear program, it appears dangerous as well.

Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to sue Western states. To see why, read more

Taiwan has just elected Ma Ying-jeou — a Harvard-educated lawyer and former Taipei mayor — as president. Ma Ying-jeou ran his campaign seeking greater economic ties to China. His opponent warned that the current situation in Tibet is possible in Taiwan if China is given greater authority. But today Ma said he was convinced that Taiwan’s economic survival depended on closer ties to Beijing. He said, “if we don’t get into China’s market, we are locked into our own country."

Also up for vote were two controversial referendums — one regarding Taiwan applying for membership in the United Nations — fell well short of passage. China is strongly opposed to United Nations membership for Taiwan, which it regards as a breakaway province. The United States and China had both denounced the UN referendum as provocative because it specifically called for the island to apply as Taiwan and not use its legal name, the Republic of China.

Well over a majority of the island's citizens got "I Voted" stickers. Voter turnout was 75.7 percent.

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• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused yesterday to officially commit to restarting the suspended peace talks with Israel. Condoleezza Rice met with Abbas hoping to encourage a return to the table. Some Bush administration officials contend that his refusal gives Hamas, the militant Islamist organization, a victory by allowing it to stop Arab-Israeli peace negotiations. Meanwhile, fighting between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel continues. Palestinian medical officials said a girl less than a month old was killed in the crossfire.
• China has increased its military budget by a substantial amount for the second time in as many years. The new budget is 17.6 percent higher than last year, at $59 billion. The Pentagon raised questions about the spike that came just weeks before a presidential election in Taiwan, the self-governed island where China claims sovereignty. A spokesman for the Chinese legislature said the build up does "not pose a threat to any country," but warned that the island of Taiwan would "surely pay a dear price" if they were to take steps China viewed as a declaration of independence.
• More evidence has emerged linking the Kenyan government to the violence that erupted after December's elections. Kenya's current president, who is a member of the Kikuyu tribe, met in his home with members of the banned Kikuyu militia. Witnesses spoke of non-Kikuyu homes being marked, apparently by the militia, then gangs with machetes attacked people who were from other ethnic groups. The Kenyan government is now trying to establish a coalition leadership to ease violence.