**Government Extends Import Duty Reduction on 75%-Alcohol Product Materials **

The Customs Administration says the reduced import duty on materials used to

produce 75-per cent alcohol products used as sanitizers or disinfectants has

been extended (延長) for another six months.

The import duty was first cut from 20 to 10-per cent in February 2020 at the

start of the the coronavirus pandemic and it has since been extended several

times.

According to Customs Administration, the decision to extend the reduction is

aimed at ensuring sufficient supplies of sanitizers and disinfectants due to

the on-going coronavirus situation here in Taiwan.

The reduced import duty will remain in place until August 26.

Figures show that as of January 31 of this year, 45.47-million liters of raw

materials have been imported since the duty was first reduced, resulting in

tax relief of 118-million N-T.

**Average Hotel Room Rate Hit Record High in 2022 **

The Tourism Bureau says the average daily room rate at international hotels

in Taiwan hit a record high last year, despite relatively low occupancy due

to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the bureau, data shows that the occupancy rate at international

hotels averaged 48.06-per cent in 2022.

That was the fourth-lowest in history.

However, the average room rate increased for a third consecutive year to

stand at a record setting 4,195 N-T.

**EU Circulates Resolution on Russian Invasion of Ukraine **

The European Union is circulating the resolution to be voted on by the U.N.

General Assembly on the eve of next week’s first anniversary of Russia’s

invasion of Ukraine.

It calls for a cessation (停止) of hostilities and a peace that ensures

Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.”

There are no vetoes in the 193-member world body, so the resolution is

certain to be adopted at the end of a high-level emergency special session of

the assembly Feb. 23.

The assembly has become the most important U.N. body dealing with Ukraine

because the Security Council is paralyzed as a result of Russia’s veto

power.

While the assembly’s five previous resolutions on Ukraine are not legally

binding — as council resolutions are — they are important as a reflection

of world opinion.

**Berlusconi Acquitted in 'Bunga-Bunga' Party Case **

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted of bribing

witnesses to lie about his notorious "bunga-bunga" parties.

The 86-year old media tycoon had been accused of paying young showgirls and

others to give false testimony about the allegedly raunchy (色情的) parties.

The other 28 defendants have also been acquitted.

Berlusconi has faced many court cases.

However, he has denied any wrongdoing in all cases and accused prosecutors of

pursuing a political vendetta against him.

**Raquel Welch Dead at 82 **

And finally,

Hollywood star Raquel Welch has died after a brief (短暫的) illness.

She was 82.

The A-P's Margie Szaroleta looks back at her career.

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