Taiwan's DPP targets doubling local election wins as president announces troop pay raise

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is gearing up for the year-end local elections, setting an ambitious goal to double its current number of governing counties and cities. The party views retaining its five existing strongholds as a minimum target, with a particular focus on challenging the opposition in Taipei and New Taipei. They also hope to flip seats in central Taiwan, starting with Taichung.

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One thing I know how to do is build!

Several other areas, including Yilan, Changhua, Chiayi City, Hsinchu County, Taitung County, and Keelung City, are identified as potential breakthrough opportunities. The DPP aims to exceed double-digit governing seats, signaling a significant push to expand its influence across the island.

In a separate development, President Lai Ching-te announced a new monthly allowance of NT$4,000 for soldiers in "Type 3 combat units." This additional pay, effective July 1, will benefit personnel in units providing combat support below the brigade level, including those in combat medicine, engineering, psychological warfare, and military police. The announcement was made during a visit to a military camp in Taichung.

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So now with the helipad, we won’t have any problem with the grass.

Meanwhile, authorities have dismantled a sophisticated fraud operation involving a pair of brothers with IT expertise. The siblings allegedly designed and customized fake investment websites for an overseas scam syndicate, creating an illusion of high returns to lure victims. In just 18 months, they created 40 such websites, defrauding 282 individuals of over NT$100 million. Five individuals, including the brothers, were arrested.

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This will be the greatest military complex-slash-ballroom anywhere in the world.