Stories from Taiwan

The Kuomintang (KMT) central committee released a press release on Facebook addressing a controversy involving party-level military procurement. Zeng also commented on President Lai Ching-te's diplomatic travels, expressing a desire for the President's safe return while noting the ongoing challenges in Taiwan's diplomacy. Kuomintang Chairman Zeng Liwen stated that military procurement issues do not have a direct relationship with the upcoming year-end elections. A disagreement has emerged within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regarding the military budget. Some legislators disagree with the proposed NT$380 billion figure. Party members are urged to be braver in supporting defense, with concerns raised about potential 'agents' influencing decisions. Legislator Fan Yun urged dissenting members to be braver and not let party leaders dictate the final decision.

A previous ruling sentenced him to 13.5 years, which prevents him from running for president. A court sentence of 13.5 years was mentioned in relation to preventing a presidential run.

Legislators are questioning the composition of Taiwan's 1.25 trillion TWD defense budget. The case involves figures as high as French officials and a sum of 1.25 trillion. Taiwanese courts have returned a case regarding defense procurement to the military due to a lack of progress in a 2025 international investigation. Legislators are questioning the classification of certain defense-related procurement and private sector support funds. Taiwan's defense spending includes both government-to-government military purchases from the United States and commercial transactions. Department of Defense, State Department, and Congress. Local arms dealers in Taipei are reportedly active in the commercial sector of these acquisitions. There are serious divisions within the ruling party regarding the defense budget, with some legislators disagreeing with the proposed 380 billion figure.

The annual Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Culture and Tourism Season begins tomorrow in Donggang, Taiwan. The festival has been running for 25 years as a representative fishery tourism event.

Police in Tainan have named a motorcycle rider and a bus driver, identified by the surname Jiang, as defendants in a fatal traffic accident. The incident involved a female police officer who was struck by a motorcycle and subsequently hit by a bus.

The Taichung City Police Department's First Precinct Traffic Division is increasing penalties to deter unlicensed driving. Officials noted a rise in traffic accidents involving unlicensed riders using electric scooters for speed.

Police in Tucheng, New Taipei City, searched a Hon Hai Technology Group facility regarding a breach of trust investigation. A former Hon Hai executive has been released on 1 million TWD bail and faces travel restrictions.

Kuomintang mayoral candidate Li Sicheng is actively managing social media presence but faces criticism for an allegedly old-fashioned style. Kuomintang candidate Li Sicheng addressed recent comments regarding his age during a response concerning the New Taipei City mayoral race.

The Ministry of the Interior's National Airborne Service Corps reported that aerial rescue missions accounted for 49.0% of its 3,782 total flights over the last five years.

A seven-year-old girl in Taichung reported chest pain and swelling to her parents starting in October last year. Doctors note that while most cases are benign, early puberty can affect future height. Early puberty, defined as the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics before age eight, affects boys and girls at a ratio of 1 to 10. While most cases are benign, about 10% can be linked to other conditions. The condition can lead to reduced fertility and premature birth. Experts discussed safe and effective treatments for male health and weight loss. The broadcast mentioned a product that expands blood flow to the uterus to support pregnancy and improve fetal breathing. If bone age is advanced by more than one year, hormonal suppression therapy is considered, while advancements within one year may be managed with traditional Chinese medicine.