■DEFENSE
Ministry remembers battle
The Ministry of National Defense will invite former Kinmen commanders and veterans of the Battle of Guningtou (古寧頭炮戰) to a ceremony in Kinmen on Oct. 25 to commemorate the battle that kept the island out of China’s hands. To commemorate the battle, the ministry is also holding essay competitions, art exhibits and seminars leading up to the main event — the opening ceremony for Peace Memorial Square on Oct. 25, Deputy Minister of National Defense Huang Yi-bing (黃奕炳) said yesterday. Huang said the public should remember lessons of the past and promote peace for future generations. The Battle of Guningtou began on Oct. 25, 1949, when communist Chinese warships carrying more than 10,000 troops landed at Guningtou, located on the northwestern tip of the main island of Kinmen. After three days of fighting, Chinese Nationalist Party troops forced the surrender of thousands of communist troops. Kinmen County Commissioner Li Chu-feng (李炷烽) suggested yesterday that the ministry establish a military museum in Kinmen, an idea that Huang said the military supports.
■CRIME
Birthday boy robs stores
A man has been arrested for allegedly robbing three convenience stores, saying he was upset that nobody had celebrated his birthday, media reported yesterday. The 33-year-old, identified only by his surname, Tseng, said his “erratic behavior” was prompted by the birthday blues, the China Post reported. According to the police, Tseng said he suffered psychiatric disorders and had a criminal record for theft. Tseng, who robbed the three stores in Taipei within 23 minutes, was found drunk and carrying NT$13,200 in cash at the time of his arrest, the report said.
RSS