THE BEST POLICY: The president said he wanted officers to set a good example and emphasized the importance of physical strength and taking exercise
By Ko Shu-ling
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday urged the military to be honest following a string of scandals, emphasizing that restoring military discipline and fighting corruption top his agenda.

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By Shelley Huang
Former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) mother-in-law, Wu Wang Hsia (吳王霞), appeared at the Taipei District Court yesterday to testify in the former first family’s money laundering case.

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Former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) application for a passport was “old news” and Taiwan’s judicial system would be proven unjust if it abused its power and extended his detention by raking up old news as new evidence, Chen’s office said yesterday.

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STRIKING A BALANCE: Ma said he hoped a Sindian park would become a place where people could go to relax, learn about human rights and enjoy art exhibits
By Ko Shu-ling
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday that the government must strike a balance between preserving a park commemorating victims of military repression during the Martial Law Era and installing cultural items.

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By Shih Hsiu-chuan
Executive Yuan Spokesman Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) said yesterday that the government would soon provide an explanation on why the applications from some of the counties looking for an upgrade to special municipality status were accepted while others were turned down.

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Officials from Taiwan and China will meet to exchange views and discuss ways to boost bilateral cultural activities later this year in Beijing, Council for Cultural Affairs Chairwoman Huang Pi-twan (黃碧端) said yesterday.

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THE LONG WAIT: Government officials said that the process of verifying Tibetan refugees’ passports and checks by immigration services was very time-consuming
By Loa Iok-sin
Despite promises from Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission (MTAC) Minister Kao Su-po (高思博) that more than 100 stateless Tibetan refugees in Taiwan would obtain residency this month, Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association chairman Jamga (蔣卡) said yesterday that most had yet to hear from the government.

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By Loa Iok-sin
Academics, farmers’ associations and several civic groups have launched a campaign to have the Wushantou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫) in Tainan County and its irrigation system added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

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THE WHEELS ARE TURNING: A number of options were discussed during an MOTC meeting yesterday, including attaching a special trailer behind buses to carry bicycles
By Shelley Shan
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is considering holding a trial run for bicycle racks installed on the front of city buses.

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The stranded oil tanker Colombo Queen damaged some coral formations off Pingtung County, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said yesterday, adding that the amount of damage remained to be determined.

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By Flora Wang
The Internet has made it easier for people to search for information, but it has also made it much more likely that students will plagiarize for their term papers or theses.

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TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Those who completed their mandatory military service on Matsu can receive free travel and accommodation with eight companions
By Shelley Shan
When freelance writer Chen ­Ching-chi (陳清枝) found out he was to be stationed in Matsu (馬祖) for his mandatory military service 33 years ago, he thought that his life was over.

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The average age of local HIV carriers is getting younger, with the incidence rate rising fastest among male teens, the Taiwan AIDS Foundation cautioned on Wednesday.

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By Jenny W. Hsu
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus will mobilize a massive campaign against the Department of Health (DOH) if the government agrees to a full opening to US beef products, the DPP caucus said yesterday.

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■DEFENSE

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