Taiwan jails 13 military officials

A Taiwanese court on Friday sentenced 13 military officials to up to eight months in prison over the death of a young conscript last year that sparked widespread anger. The Taoyuan district court in northern Taiwan also cleared five officials of any wrongdoing in the death of Corporal Hung Chung-chiu, citing insufficient evidence. Hung, 24, died of heatstroke on July 4, just three days before the end of his compulsory year-long military service. Hung's death triggered massive street protests and brought down the then defence minister. His family said Hung was forced to do excessive exercise as punishment for taking a smartphone onto his base, according to AFp.