Yilan elementary schoolers win young inventors’ gold medal for creative bottle

Yilan elementary schoolers win young inventors’ gold medal for creative bottle

2025-09-30

At this year’s International Exhibition for Young Inventors, three elementary schoolers from Yilan entered into the “convenience” category for inventors under 14 with their “creative multifunctional bottle.” Among its eight different functions, it resists tipping, as well as tracks water intake and controls the temperature. With their invention, the young makers hope to make it easier and safer to drink more water.

This may look like an ordinary water bottle, but aside from keeping drinks hot or cold, it can also control the temperature. It also has a stabilizing design to prevent tipping, and even keeps track of how much is inside for a total of eight different functions.

Three third-graders from Yilan Elementary entered the 2025 International Exhibition for Young Inventors held last month in Osaka with this “creative multifunctional bottle.” It stood out in their category of “convenience” items invented by children under 14. But looking back on the process, they recalled quite a few challenges.

Pan Hao-ching
Yilan Elementary student
We really spent a lot of time drawing these blueprints. And before the competition, since we had to print a lot of things, we kept the 3D printer going for 20 or 30 hours straight.

Despite their young age, they also have no problem introducing the product in fluent English. But the lengthy English description also gave them no small amount of trouble.

Chen Yen-hsin
Yilan Elementary student
We had to memorize a long English passage. We also had to memorize the Q&A.

Lin Chih-han
Yilan Elementary student
The English description is super long, and it also uses some rare vocab.

Yang Hsien-chin
Yilan Elementary principal
When answering questions from the judges, they had to understand the questions and give accurate responses. This was the harder part, testing the children’s ability to adapt.

Young inventors from 15 different countries participated in this year’s competition. Taiwan delivered an outstanding performance overall, winning eight gold medals—the most of any country.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#invention #younginventors #waterbottle #multifunctional #Osaka #Yilan #students #elementaryschool #ExhibitionforYoungInventors #English

宜蘭小學生發明多功能水杯奪世界青少年發明展金牌

2025-09-30

2025世界青少年發明展國際賽，宜蘭國小三名學生以「多功能創意水杯」作品，在「便利生活類」U14組中脫穎而出，奪得金牌。這個創意水杯有多達8項功能，不但可以防傾倒、紀錄喝水量還有溫控功能，發明學生希望讓喝水變得更安全和便利。

看似平平無奇的水瓶，除了保溫、保冰，還有控溫功能設計，以及防傾倒底座，甚至還有紀錄喝水量的杯蓋，擁有多達8種功能。

宜蘭國小這三位三年級的學生，8月在日本大阪舉行的，2025世界青少年發明展國際賽，以「多功能創意水杯」作品，在便利生活類U14組中，脫穎而出。回顧參賽以來，也有不少辛苦的時光。

[[宜蘭國小三年級學生潘昊青]]
“我們為了要畫出這些圖，我們真的花了很久的時間，而且在比賽前因為要印的東西很多，我們的3D列印機甚至二、三十個小時都沒有休息。”

小小年紀英文介紹也沒問題，不過，落落長的英文稿子實在讓他們吃盡苦頭。

[[宜蘭國小陳言馨]]
“要背很長的一篇英文稿，然後還要背那個Q&A。”

[[宜蘭國小林芷涵]]
“英文稿真的很長，然後也是不常看到的單詞。”

[[宜蘭國小校長楊顯欽]]
“在面對評審的提問的時候，能夠聽得懂提問，再把正確的答案告訴評審，這就是更難的一個部分，這必須考驗孩子的應變能力。”

今年的發明展比賽，有來自15 個不同國家的青少年角逐，台灣代表隊表現亮眼，一共抱回8面金牌，成為最大贏家。

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For the first time ever, a Taiwanese foreign minister has delivered a key note speech at the Warsaw Security Forum, the most influential forum in Central and Eastern Europe., showing Taiwanese diplomacy is making inroads in Europe. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan and Europe shared a threat from authoritarian regimes like China and Russia and called for cooperation, saying Taiwan could help Europe to expand its industrial capabilities through leveraging the island’s strengths in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

The host introduces Lin Chia-lung on the stage as “Minister of Foreign Affairs from Taiwan.” Lin had just visited Austria in mid-September, a first for a high-ranking Taiwanese official. Now, in another new breakthrough, he was invited to speak at the Warsaw Security Forum, which is organized by a Polish foundation, in his capacity as foreign minister.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
As an indispensable member of the international community, Taiwan is a reliable partner that plays a vital role in enhancing resilience in trusted global supply chains.

His speech was centered around rebuilding global democratic supply chains. Lin pointed out directly that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have formed an "axis of instability," challenging the international order.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
China is largely seen as the decisive enabler behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, democracies around the world must act in concert to counter the existential and systemic threat.

He also warned that just as Europe faces the threat of "hybrid warfare" from Russia targeting critical infrastructure, Taiwan faces similar challenges from China.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
China continues to employ gray zone tactics, cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and military exercises in an attempt to undermine people’s trust in the government.

Lin emphasized that precisely because Taiwan and Europe face the same authoritarian threat, they should join hands and work together. Taiwan can help Europe expand its industrial strength and innovative capabilities.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign Minister
It is high time for Europe to stand with Taiwan to forge a robust coalition for our shared values and halt expansion of authoritarian regimes. Taiwan is ready to work with Europe.

The Warsaw Security Forum is currently the most influential security and foreign policy dialogue platform in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also an annual security event for Europe in general. It was the first time for Taiwan’s foreign minister to speak at the forum. In addition, on the event’s official website, Lin was described as a speaker who is the “Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan” showing the inroads Taiwan is making in European diplomacy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#taiwan #EU #poland #diplomacy #warsawsecurityforum

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What it takes to be a Taiwan National Day usher

For the 41st consecutive year, students from Ming Chuan University have been chosen to serve as ushers for Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. This year’s team features 15 students who spent months honing their skills through intensive training. Beyond their professionalism and warm hospitality, a few of the ushers have drawn attention for their striking resemblance to celebrities and sport stars—including Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the story!

Dressed in red qipaos and suits paired with blue ties, The National Day ushers from Ming Chuan University made their official debut with a dazzling dance performance.

They also introduced themselves fluently in English, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese, and demonstrated how to guide guests in case of emergencies. The members include several celebrity lookalikes. Male team leader Feng Jen-yuan, who stands at 188 cm and has a radiant smile, is said to resemble Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Another member, Cheng Yung-an, has been said to bear a resemblance to South Korean actor Ji Chang-wook.

Feng Jen-yuan
National Day usher
Last year, I was honored to be told I resemble Mr. Shohei Ohtani. Over the past year, I’ve embraced his spirit of discipline and unwavering dedication. For this year’s National Day ceremony, I hope to bring warmth and exceptional service to the distinguished officials and guests.

Cheng Yung-an
National Day usher
I am majoring in international business and trade program. The reason why I joined this club was because I saw these beautiful people and they all looked very professional and after training, they became very good at a lot of skills. For example, public speaking, posturing and even global etiquette. That is what attracted me to join this club. We are well-trained and we have weekly training. Our daily training basically includes everything.

National Day is soon approaching. This year, 15 talented students will take the stage at the official celebration, greeting distinguished guests with poise and warm smiles. The national day users have undergone rigorous training—from language skills and crisis response to etiquette and physical conditioning such as standing against a wall to correct posture. For Huang Hui-chen, who is participating as an usher for the first time, the experience has been challenging and rewarding.

Huang Hui-chen
National Day usher
This is my first time joining the National holiday. I am also on the fencing school team. I am the leader. In my holiday, I joined many ceremonies and awards.

Huang Yu-ling
National Day usher
The second year is different from the first year because I have the first year experience. I have become stronger to face different situations. For training time, we stand and do some posture and speaking because this time we will have a different service place than last year so we improved our speaking skills, like English speaking skills, and also figure some problems or situations used in English.

For 41 consecutive years, Ming Chuan University has taken part in the National Day celebration, showcasing Taiwan’s warmth and hospitality to the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#nationaldayushers #mingchuanuniversity #nationalday

2025-09-30

Contestant in viral game show volunteers in flood-stricken Guangfu

Many people all over the country have lent a helping hand to flood-stricken Guangfu Township in Hualien, by shoveling large amounts of leftover debris. Whether on their own or with a group, well-known or not, they’re all trying to do their bit in speeding up the township’s recovery.

This man volunteering to help shovel mud is a Taiwan resident from the UK, known publicly by his Chinese name Li Dafeng. He recently became widely known for participating in the viral “Who Speaks the Best Mandarin in Taiwan” game show on YouTube, after 8 years in the country.

Li is pictured shoveling a thick layer of mud in a Guangfu home. He and his wife both volunteered to help clean up the flood-stricken neighborhood.

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A public memorial service is held for celebrated doctor Hsu Chao-pin

Hsu Chao-pin, a celebrated doctor who championed medical care in remote areas in Eastern Taiwan, passed away on Sept. 19 at the age of 58 from cancer. On Tuesday, there was a public memorial service for the doctor, who has been called “Taiwan’s Albert Schweitzer” for his humanitarian work. The service at a Catholic church in Daren Township, Taitung, drew in Dr Hsu’s friends, patients and local residents. Former lawmaker Lie Kuen-cheng says the local Indigenous peoples have found a doctor that can take over his work. Let’s hear more.

Family members in this church bow their heads, quietly listening to the speaker who is recounting the life of Hsu Chao-pin and honoring his legacy. Hsu, a celebrated doctor who set up the South-Link Medical Foundation Clinic, passed away on Sept. 19 from nasopharyngeal cancer at the age of 58. A public funeral was held on Tuesday. It was attended by not only relatives and friends, but also many from the public.

Hsiung Mei-hui
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Hsu, a remarkable doctor, left a large hospital in 2002 to return to his hometown. He had always kept in the back of his mind how medical care in rural areas was insufficient. This inspired him to initiate the construction of South-Link Medical Foundation Clinic in 2012. He later resigned from his other medical work to dedicate himself to this cause. He was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2019, and the clinic opened in 2024. He passed away at home on Sept. 19, 2025.

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Lee Yu-sheng
Lawyer not involved in the case
If the seated passenger only struck back to avoid a person illegally encroaching on them, then it’s considered conduct performed in defense of one’s own rights, and is thus not punishable. However, if the force used in these defensive measures was excessive or the act of kicking was conducted willfully to cause harm to the elderly woman, and indeed cause injury to the woman in question, then they would still be considered to have committed an offense of intentionally causing bodily injury to the woman, which is punishable accordingly.

The Rapid Transit Division of the Taipei police says the two individuals involved will be tracked down and the case will be processed as a violation of the Social Order Maintenance Act. The two persons may also be fined up to NT$18,000 each.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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