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Taiwan Quick Take

■ National Security
Spy returns from China
A former intelligence agent once declared dead by the Bureau of Intelligence returned to Taipei on Friday after spending 27 years in prison in China. Lee Chun-min (李俊敏) left the airport security area surrounded by a wall of Aviation Police and officers from the National Security Bureau and Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB), according to reports in the Chinese-language China Times. Lee did not say anything to reporters, who were kept at arms length by his escorts, the paper said. Lee was instructed not to talk to the media by MIB personnel, the paper said, although his wife said she was glad to have her husband back.

■ Health
Teen died of flu, DOH says
An 18-year-old student who died in Kaohsiung last Sunday has been confirmed as this year's first influenza fatality. The Department of Health said on Friday that the student became ill on Nov. 26 and died of respiratory difficulties, pneumonia and multiple organ failure a week later. Center for Disease Control Deputy Director-General Chou Chih-hao (周志浩) said that this year's flu season is more severe than last year's. "Those who fall ill should try to stay at home and rest once they've been to see a doctor," Chou said. "Face masks and frequent hand washing also help prevent the virus from spreading."

■ Crime
Pigeon smugglers nabbed
Two men were arrested yesterday on a freighter in Putai Port, Chiayi County, with 179 stud pigeons smuggled from China they planned to sell in Taiwan, coast guard officials said. According to police, the men said the pigeons were worth nearly NT$20 million (US$617,280).


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