New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming said yesterday he prefers to stay in the Yankees next season unless he is forced to make another choice.

The chairwoman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expressed optimism Thursday about the party's chances in the upcoming Dec. 5 three-in-one local elections, saying that the DPP is expected to retain its grip on the counties of Yunlin, Chiayi and Pingtung.

The National Police Agency (NPA) kicked off early this morning a large-scale drug crackdown campaign in line with the official implementation of a set of amendments to the Narcotics Endangerment Prevention Act, which will start to impose criminal punishment on those who take or hold less than 20 grams of Ketamine.

The number of school classes suspended for new influenza A(H1N1) infection has so far increased to 1,222 affecting a new record of more than 40,000 students in 619 institutions across Taiwan.

The La New Bears baseball team expelled two of its players yesterday for their alleged involvement in a game-fixing scam. The management said it will also seek compensation from the duo in a civil lawsuit.

For many, it is now a good time to nibble at ginger duck hot pots as it is getting chilly with a cold front passing and winter monsoon strengthening.

Taiwan children do not get enough exercise, as only 10 percent of them exercise for at least one hour a day, according to the results of a survey published yesterday by the non-profit Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF).

An excess of institutes in Taiwan's higher education sector has dragged down the country's international competitiveness in terms of education, a university president said yesterday.

The worldwide social phenomenon, Facebook, has become a convenient site for identify theft and online fraud in Taiwan, said the Law and Regulation Commission of Taipei City Government yesterday.

Premier Wu Den-yi said Thursday clinical trials on humans have shown that a locally produced swine flu vaccine is on par with the imported one in terms of safety and efficacy.