Latest news with #Hsieh
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
China small boats landings in Taiwan raise concerns
China fishing boat TAIPEI: China has long sought to intimidate Taiwan with its massive navy, air force and the world's largest standing army, but it's mere dinghies that are now causing the most consternation. Taiwan's coast guard has documented five cases totalling 38 Chinese citizens crossing the 160-km (100-mile) wide Taiwan Strait separating the self-governing island democracy from the authoritarian Chinese mainland, according to the body's deputy director-general, Hsieh Ching-chin. That includes at least one case posted to Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, in which a man speaking with a strong mainland Chinese accent is seen planting a Chinese flag on what he says is a Taiwanese beach. Scenes in the background appear to show a stretch of coastline south of the capital Taipei. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be conquered by force if necessary. The man has not been found or publicly identified, and Taiwanese authorities are seeking to ascertain whether he received help from anyone on the island. Another case involved a father and son who were apprehended shortly after reaching land, along with a man who came ashore at a fishing port in Taipei. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The small size of the boats, some just inflatables for having fun at the beach, makes it difficult for Taiwan's radar to pick them up. In addition to facing China's formidable military, Taiwan faces a range of so-called "gray area" strategies, including in the media and among entertainers hoping to grab a share of the massive Chinese market. Taiwan has also deported Chinese wives of Taiwanese men for posting videos supporting a takeover. The small boat landings may be further attempt to confuse and undermine confidence among public, Hsieh said.
Toronto Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Business traveller anxiety rises as tales of U.S. border harassment and delays emerge
As hundreds of thousands of Canadians turn away from vacations and day-trips to the U.S., those who work for companies with cross-border operations are finding themselves in a tough spot. 'If I had not already started this project in 2024, I would not be taking it on now to travel to the U.S.,' Tyler, an engineer originally from Vancouver who now lives and works in the U.K., told the Star. Tyler asked that the Star only use his first name out of concerns speaking publicly could cause him issues entering the U.S. for future work trips. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The engineer has crossed the border for more than 10 years now. While his interactions with border officials on his most recent trip to the U.S. were not 'too outrageous' — the officers just asked a few more questions than usual — he is still not looking forward to his next visit in a couple days. 'I travel a lot,' he said, 'and the U.S. is the only place I have any concerns over.' Tyler is not the only Canadian worried about travelling to the U.S. for work. People on social media say they've become more anxious recently, as stories have emerged of Canadians, other foreigners and those with valid documents being harassed while entering the U.S. Others shared similar sentiments with the Star privately, afraid to allow their names to be made public due to fears about issues crossing the border or harming their relationship with their employer. For a time, it seemed like companies were aware of their employees' concerns. According to data from Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, corporate bookings to the U.S. were down 10 per cent in February compared to the same month the year before. But the number bounced back in March, with bookings down just one per cent year-over-year. Even as business travel stabilizes, companies are increasingly trying to figure out how best to approach crossing the border, according to Chelsea Hseih, a partner at KPMG Law specializing in U.S. immigration. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We have been contacted by a lot of clients and companies of all sizes,' Hsieh said, 'and the companies want to make sure that employees feel safe and are equipped with the information they need to travel.' Hsieh noted that she cannot name those who have reached out due to client confidentiality. The Star separately contacted multiple Canadian companies with operations in the U.S., including banks and major retailers, asking if they've changed their policies around business travel. All who replied declined to comment. Those in the education sector have been more public with their stance, with the Canadian Association of University Teachers strongly recommending Canadian academics only travel to the U.S. if necessary. Meanwhile, school boards across Canada are cancelling field trips to America. In response to client questions, Hsieh said she and her colleagues have stressed that the 'vast majority' of travellers should have no issues crossing the border, as long as they have proper documents. 'We haven't experienced specific incidents of detainment,' Hsieh added, noting that KPMG would provide legal guidance on a 'case-by-case basis' if it were to happen. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW While Hsieh acknowledged the Canadian government's updated travel advisory warning travellers of additional scrutiny at the border, including the possible inspection of electronic devices, the lawyer said that these searches appear to be 'quite rare.' 'I don't anticipate that to happen with every international traveller looking to travel to the U.S.,' she said. Canada Explainer Can U.S. border officials detain Canadians? Check your phone? Here's everything you need to know about crossing the 49th parallel Reagan McSwain Still, she said clients have mentioned that they are working to 'develop internal policies' around protecting confidential information and electronic devices. For Tyler, his employer hasn't issued any guidance to workers regarding electronics, although he said his work phone is 'already locked down so we cannot access personal social media accounts.' He still makes an effort to delete certain apps like Reddit from his personal phone before travelling to the U.S., however. Hsieh cautioned Canadian workers travelling to the U.S. against using a burner phone entirely. 'As we have seen, it can raise additional suspicion from the (customs) officers,' she said. 'I think it's more important for travellers just to be mindful of what's on their devices and just maintain some device hygiene.'
CNA
09-05-2025
- CNA
Taiwan ramps up efforts to rescue scam victims trapped in Southeast Asian compounds
The first sign of trouble came in Thailand when the car carrying Hsieh took an unusually long journey. It then crossed into Myanmar. "I had a bad feeling. But by then I realised that even if I had wanted to turn back, it was too late. Armed men surrounded us during the ride to the compound,' he told CNA. Hsieh was taken to one of the many scam facilities near the border with Thailand. "Because I made it clear I didn't want to work or stay... they locked me in a small dark room. I was restrained by seven or eight soldiers," Hsieh recalled. He was then beaten. "They said if I tried to leave, the soldiers would kill me. They told me there were landmines along the compound's perimeters and all the soldiers carried guns." The scam centre set quotas for the workers to meet – hitting their targets meant food and money. "It was commission-based. For example, if I scammed someone of US$20,000, I could earn 9 per cent. I saw people's lockers and they were full of Chinese yuan and Thai baht,' Hsieh said. "I chatted with victims but I tried to end the conversations quickly because I really didn't want to scam anyone." He attempted to escape twice but was unsuccessful. Along with fellow victims, they tried to sneak out of the compound on New Year's Eve, hoping that the guards would be drunk. But they were caught and punished with beatings and put in isolation. There were also threats of being sold off to a worse compound. Throughout his 20-day captivity, he tried slipping intel to friends back home, alerting them of his ordeal and begging them for help. One day, the so-called 'boss' of the compound told him somebody had paid his ransom, and that he was free to leave. To this day, he has no idea why or how he was rescued. He said: 'None of my friends or family said they paid anything.' He was driven to the Thai border and then to Bangkok, where he was met by a Taiwanese liaison officer who put him on a flight back home. MORE TAIWANESE STILL TRAPPED Hsieh was one of the lucky victims who managed to escape. But there are about 300 Taiwanese still trapped in scam compounds abroad, according to Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB). The national investigative agency said most victims were lured through social media or by friends, with job offers that turned into traps. "Since 2020, approximately 1,000 to 1,050 Taiwanese have reported being lured overseas and coerced into engaging in fraudulent activities,' said Edward Lee, director of the CIB's international criminal affairs division. He added that CIB has already assisted in the return of around 600 individuals – including Hsieh – through coordination with various agencies. The Taiwanese government has been ramping up rescue efforts, working with police liaisons and local authorities. The CIB said Hsieh was able to leave the compound mainly with the help of its liaison officers, who negotiated with authorities in Thailand. But in Cambodia, another location where scam operations are rife and where diplomatic relations are lacking, Lee said officers work with non-governmental organisations and Taiwanese business associations based there to facilitate rescues. NOT ALL ARE VICTIMS After rescue, authorities are mandated by law to carry out further investigations because not everyone in a scam compound is a victim. 'By examining their interactions with others and travel records, supplementing that with other information we receive, we distinguish between innocent victims and those who knowingly participated in scams,' said Lee. On Wednesday (May 7), 55 Taiwanese scam compound workers were repatriated from Thailand. Among them, 25 were wanted by authorities in connection to cases involving theft, fraud, drugs and money laundering, according to the CIB. Crime syndicates used to run phone scams out of Taiwan. Even today, the island remains a crucial node in such global crime networks, partly because there are still scam syndicates operating out of Taiwan or by Taiwanese overseas. While most operations have gone offshore to countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines, Taiwan's authorities continue to use the experience it has gained over the years to assist in the global fight against cyber fraud. Chang Jung-Hsin, chief of Taiwan's top law enforcement agency, said there has been some measurable success. In 2024, about 600 cases of fraud were reported daily with a loss of between NT$400 million and NT$600 million. "After we moved to combat fraud and with cooperation between the government agencies and civilian organisations… the number of fraud cases fell,' said Chang, the director general of Taiwan's National Police Agency. This January, daily cases dropped to around 400 cases with the total loss that month down to NT9.5 billion – an average of NT300 million a day. As for Hsieh, he is still haunted by nightmares three months after his rescue. His wrists still suffer from numbness from being shackled at the scam centre for days on end. But he is back on the streets of Taipei, performing acrobatic stunts. As part of his performance, he now tells the audience about his ordeal in Myanmar, hoping to warn more people about falling prey to scams. "(I'm) really happy to escape that hell. I never have to be subjected to that inhumane treatment again,' he told CNA. 'If I had noticed signs and red flags, I would have halted the work schedule and left (Thailand), even if it meant missing out on a job.'
Business Insider
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies: US Physical Therapy (USPH) and Barinthus Biotherapeutics (BRNS)
Companies in the Healthcare sector have received a lot of coverage today as analysts weigh in on US Physical Therapy (USPH – Research Report) and Barinthus Biotherapeutics (BRNS – Research Report). Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. US Physical Therapy (USPH) In a report released today, Ryan Daniels from William Blair reiterated a Hold rating on US Physical Therapy. The company's shares closed last Wednesday at $70.96. According to Daniels is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 7.7% and a 49.6% success rate. Daniels covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Definitive Healthcare Corp, Lifestance Health Group, and Pediatrix Medical Group. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for US Physical Therapy with a $108.25 average price target. Barinthus Biotherapeutics (BRNS) In a report released today, Andy Hsieh from William Blair reiterated a Buy rating on Barinthus Biotherapeutics. The company's shares closed last Wednesday at $0.99, close to its 52-week low of $0.80. According to Hsieh is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 6.0% and a 43.7% success rate. Hsieh covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Structure Therapeutics, Inc. Sponsored ADR, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, and Terns Pharmaceuticals. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Barinthus Biotherapeutics with a $4.50 average price target.
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies: BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) and Immutep Ltd (OtherPRRUF)
Analysts have been eager to weigh in on the Healthcare sector with new ratings on BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA – Research Report) and Immutep Ltd (PRRUF – Research Report). Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) In a report released today, Andy Hsieh from William Blair reiterated a Hold rating on BioAge Labs, Inc.. The company's shares closed last Tuesday at $3.95, close to its 52-week low of $3.80. According to Hsieh is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 6.0% and a 43.7% success rate. Hsieh covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Structure Therapeutics, Inc. Sponsored ADR, Barinthus Biotherapeutics, and Corbus Pharmaceuticals. BioAge Labs, Inc. has an analyst consensus of Hold, with a price target consensus of $5.67. Immutep Ltd (PRRUF) In a report released today, Thomas Wakim from Bell Potter maintained a Buy rating on Immutep Ltd, with a price target of A$0.70. The company's shares closed last Monday at $0.22. According to Wakim is a 1-star analyst with an average return of -6.9% and a 40.0% success rate. Wakim covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited, Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, and Opthea. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Immutep Ltd with a $0.98 average price target.
